RECONSTRUCTION.

Evening Post, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 71, 23 March 1912, Page 7

RECON STRUCTI ON.

NEW LEADER & NEW MINISTRY RESULT OF THE CAUCUS. THE POSITION DISCUSSED. The conference of the combined Liberal and Labour Parties and Independent membe?M, which yesterday agreed to accept the Hon. T. Mackenzie as<it« Leader, is unique in the history of New Zealand politics. Always in tho past, a Prime Minister tendering his resignation to the Governor, mentioned th© member who, in his opinion, should bo sent for to form a Ministry $ that member was sent for accordingly, accepted the responsibility, and selected his colleagues. On this occasion the combined party conferred, and came to a decision on the subject. It i», of coiujse, qiuttt clear that that line of actioa^vaH pursued because the different elements la tho party he}d conflicting views', political and personal, as to who should ba tho new Leader, but, for all that, a considerable section of the party regards it as a moet valuable precedent, and one which may eventually lead to a full recognition of tho principle of the elective executive. AT THE CAUCUS. ATTITUDE OF LABOUR. As to the caucus itself, it is generally recognised that tho Labour members , took a very prominent pai», although they had all along made it perfectly clear that they were there merely as onlookers, not necessarily identifying tHetnselves with the party, but interested in seeing what course would be adopted, and not averse to trying to shape that cour«b. Sir Joseph Ward, ib * is admitted, gave the combined party a perfectly free hand, and an assurance of his assistance and support ia tho future. The Hon. J. A. Millav was the first to be proposed as Leader, and the possibility of electing Sir James Carroll was' also mentioned a» an alternative. Labour made it clear from the beginning that it would have nought to do with either of the two, even though the wrecking of the party was the sole alternative. Hours were spent in pointing out to Labour that Mr. Millar and Sir James Carroll had devoted the best years o,f their lives to the interests of the Liberal Parly, long before the present representatives of Labour were concerned in matters political, but tho Labour Three (Messrs. Veitch, Robertson, and Payne) were adamant. They would, , they said, sup- , port tho lion. T. Mackenzie, against whom they had nothing to, nay, and who, they knew, had the confidence o£ the small farmers of the Dominion* 10 is also stated that present Ministers and all the rank and tile pledged theiiieelve* to loyally support tho now ad* ministration, CABINET-MAKING. SOME POSSIBILITIES. The newly-elected leader of the party had a conference with Sir Joseph Ward this morning. It is not anticipated 'thai any announcement as to the constitution of the new Cabinet will be made until Tuesday. It appears to be certain, however, that the Hon. T. Mackonaie will take the portfolios of Lands and Agriculture} that Mr. A. M. Myers will take Defence and probably Post and Telefraph; that Mr. Laurenson. will be linister of Hallways ; that Mr. W. D. S. Mac Donald will bo Native Minister 5 and that Mr. J. A. Hana» will be AttorneyGeneral* Minister of Justice, and Minister of Education. The Hon. J, A. Millar will be offered a seat m the Cabinet, probably us Minister ot Finance ; if he should refuse Mr. T. K. Sidey will be called. As lo tho Canterbury contingent, it is probable <ha.t Mr. T. H. Davey will take over the portfolio of Labour, although Mr. Witty and Mr. Russell are considered to be in the running. It is suggested, as an alternative, that either Mr. Witty, Mr. Russell, or Mr. Buxton may be made a member of the Executive without full Ministerial rank. Mr. Ngata will also be appointed member of the Executive representing the Maori race. It is Ireely stated that if Mr. Wilford was In New Zealand and in good health he woulß be given a. seat in the Cabinet. It is_ probable that when ho returns from his health trip iO tho Old Country he will be offered ft. subsidiary position, and promoted to full Ministerial rank if and when hie health justifies such a course. Mr. V. 11. Reed will also, it ie likely, be called' •to the Executive without portfolio. Mr. Ell will be made Chairman of Committees^ and the position of South Island Whip is to be offered to Mr. Forbes. The selection of a Whip for the North Island has not yet been decided on,, THE FUTURE. STATEMENT BY THE NEW LEADER Tho Hon. T. Mackenzie has received hundreds of telegrams of congratulation from all parts of the Dominion. Speaking to » Post representative on the subject of his flection to the high post of leader of the party, he said: "It was not of my seeking. I simply placed myeelf in tho hands of the party, and used' no influence one ' way or the other. After full discussion of tho situation the choice fell on me, and I feel sure that lh& party ib going to give mo 11 reasonable show, and I think tho country will do the same. I think the prospects ' of 'tho party are brightening 5 there h a, better feeling towards the Government in the country than there was. It will be my desire to build up first of all our great primal industries, feeling sure that if that be done iti will bring profitable occupation aud reasonable, remuneration to the workers of tho towns and the tillers of the soil. It will bo my desire, of course, to develop our country in every reasonable- way. The towns require building up ; the country requires developing. We must .settle our lands as closely as we can, so that the people may live in what an old British monarch described as • convenient plenty.' Wo must koen our finger on tho pulee of •,rade. We must nco> that our products are so prepared and carried and marketed Jhat they will be able to hold their own against any competition, \\a tnu&t search foi new markets, wo must Analyse the capacity of competing countries to di#placu us, and «&tiinate. if possible, the power of the peoples in other lands to consumo our product*, and where barriers exist endeavour to modify or remove thum. "That all applies to the land and its products. Having established Umt. our cities and thowj who dwell in them will respond at onco (a th<* forces and development, and pro ml.a share in Unit prosperity Tho jwiul' and ccoifomic conditions of lli» pin>]>lo m our town*, in common with those :n t)n> country, will ict'oive Iho ilobo-t Htionticiu irom the Cabinet thai, 1 lfo|u» lo nMis.tru.ct, and make for tho up-building of cvorv section of ihoj community 4 't