Opinions of the Press.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 9951, 27 December 1900, Page 5

Opinions of the Press.

Extra Ministers.

Prize Commonwealth Ode

(Received Dec. 27, 9.27 a.m.) Melbourne, This day. The Argus commenting upon Sir Wrc. Lyne's failure to form a Ministry says that Federalists will rejoice i to see the eonamission in Mr Barton's lands, because it is assumed that in him as chief adviser the GovernorGeneral will have a sympathetic and an intelligent interpreter of the constitution. " For a prominent anti-Billite. to get the position," the Argus continues, " would be resented by the Federalists as a wrong to a tried servant of the national cause- Sir William Lyne, V may be perfectly safe as a guardian of the constitution, but he has not earned V the distinction" he was ambitious to obtain. It is certain that he could not command the popular confidence already reposed in Mr Barton." The Age commends Sir W. Lyne for giving way, and says he could have formed a Ministry, but it would have contained an element of weakness that would have presaged disaster. It adds that Mr Barton will enter upon his heritage with the satisfaction of feeling that nobody begnidges it_to.-bixßi}' •-• ~ ~~*" Sydney, This day. Mr Barton will consult his colleagues as to the appointment of one or two Ministers without portfolio. The prize of fifty guineas for a Commonwealth ode has been awarded to Mr G. Essex Evans, of Queensland. There were a large number of competitors. London. Dec. 2G. The St. James Gazette, commenting onthechoiceof a Federal Premier, says it is well-known to the chief persons concerned that the arrangement first made was the only proper jjnd possible one. The real question how officially to bring Lord Hop.. - toun and Mr Barton together.