THE NEW CABINET.

Evening Post, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 72, 25 March 1912, Page 8

THE NEW CABINET.

DIFFICULTIES OF RECONSTRUCTION. SIR JOSEPH WARD WILL 'RESIGN TO-MORROW. The work of forming the new Cabinet under the Hon. T. Mackenzie has made very little progrets since Saturday, when tho position, a.i it then existed, was explained in the columns of The Post. It was then suggested that what raa-y be described as tlie " certainties " for the new Cabinet are Messrs. Myers^ Laurcn3on, Mac Donald, and J. A. Hanan. The trouble now appears to be with, regard to the Canterbury and West Cuast contingents. Canterbury has been loyal to the- Liberal Party for many years, and at least four of its representatives — Messrs. Davey, Witty, £11, and Russell — consider they should receive recognition for their services. The claims of Messrs. Davey and Witty, in that order, are considered to be superior, but the other two members are, it is evident, inclined to make trouble in the event of their being overlooked. There is aleo a rumour in circulation that the »Hon. E. M'Kenzie may be invited to remain in the Ministry, for the purpose of conserving the supp.ort of the electors of his own district, who would be greatly disappointed at being deprived of their Alinisterial connection. Further, the question, of finding a new Minister of Mines is likely to cause some difficulty. Mr. " H. Poland's name has been mentioned, but it is" likely that he will be passed over. Ik is known that Mr. Seddon's claims are being assiduously canvassed, but a section of tho party is believed to looii to the member for Buller, who has been. a consistent supporter of the Liberal regime ever since he entered the House. Indeed, heclaims that he has saved the party i'rom serious trouble on more than one occasion — notably when he consented to take the Chairmanship of Committees to avoid dissension. Sir Joseph Ward will in all probability tender his resignation to-morrow, and recommend His Excellency to send for iho Hon. T. Mackenzie to form a Cabinet. That advico will, it is expected, be followed Mr. Mackenzie will consult with' His Excellency, and it is possible that the new Ministry will be announced on Wednesday or Thursday. THE UNEXPECTED THAT HAPPENS. MR. MASSEY INTERVIEWED. [BX TELEGRAPH — PBESS ASSOCIATION. J AUCKLAND, 24th March. "My first thought on opening the paper thifi morning," said the Leader of the Opposition, Mr. Massey, in an interview on Saturday, "was that it is the unexpected 1 that happens in politics. My second was, whab would the late ""Mr. Seddon say if he knew the state of his party to-day? I do not propose to criticise the new Prime Minister," continued Mr. Massey, "nor to comment upon the proceedings of the caucus until the new Ministry . has been formed, beyond remarking that Mr. Mackenzie will find the saying as true to-day as ever it was that no man can serve two masters. The occurrences of the last few days prove that there aro at least two sections within the Government party whose views and ideas are widely antagonistic. Compare that state of things, with the solidity of the .Reform party, whose ranks- even in defeat stood with their faces tc* the foe, repulsed, but unbroken and undismayed, and as loyal as evfcr to the principles ' for which, they have contended. - Strange as it may seem, some at least of these who voted against the recent no-confidence motion believe in those principles. It. is a peculiar position, ana I am only one among many who believe it cannct last. "Another very extraordinary position has ax-isen," continued Mr. Massey. "Iv a few days a new Ministry will be in office, and, judging by present appearances, Parliament /will not meet for prcbably three months. That circumstance suggests two important questions arising from the reconstruction of the Cabinet. Does the new Ministry command the confidence of a majority of the House, and if there is any doubt about ite position — I happen to know there is very .serious* doubt — should the Ministry go on making the very important appointments that have to be made,, committing the country to expenditure as they propose to do, and generally administering very important affairs ot the Dominion without consulting Parliament, and, if it feels co inclined, without giving Parliament an opportunity of expressing confidence in the Administration or the reverse? This situation was foreseen at the_ end of the short session, and ) divided the House on the question of permitting it, but a majority voted against me, and the responsibility is theirs, but I have no hesitation in saying that it is a most undemocratic and unconstitutional position, and cue that should not be tolerated." The criticism by Mr. G. M. Thomson, M.P. for Dunedin North, of the action of the Ward Minis-try in proceeding with the erection of the new Parliament House, is endorsed by the Leader of the Opposition. "I thoroughly agree with the opinion expressed by Mr. Thomson," said Mr. Massey on Saturday. "A huge sum of money has been wasted on temporary accommodation for Parliament, and nothing more should bo done until the new House cf Representatives has an opportunity to reconsider the Avhol© matter." A LABOUR VIEW. [ZT IJSLEOBAPH — SPECIAL TO THE POS'I.., DUNEDIN, This Day.' * Sir. R. Breen, secretary of the Otago Trades and Labour Council, interviewed, exprc6sed > the opinion that the leadership of the Liberal party was not a matter which greatly concerned the Labour party. What that party was mostly concerned about was the material welfare of the masses. Personally he did not look for any important legislation in that direction from any Government with the Hon. T. Mackenzie at the head, and he was more convinced than ever that Labour would have to work out its own salvation and not trust to ajiy other party. So far as the leadership of the Liberal Party is concerned, ho did not know of any member in the present Houee who had a greater claim to the poeiuon or who was better qualified to fill it than the Hon. J. A. Millar, but he knew of many who had greater claims and were as well qualified as tho Hon. T. Mackenzie. STOCK AND SHARE MARKET. m WELLINGTON BUSINESS. Tho only sale on ihe Wellington Stock Exchange at the l'orenoon call to-day was of \V"aihi"s at £1 19s 3d (c). TRANSACTIONS ELSEWHERE. - fBT 'JXLECiEAJ?il — I'HEbS ASSOCIATION.] AUCKLAND, This Day. liusiiiefas dune nt thit> morning's call included : — Waiotahi. 3j 7TI : Crown, &. ltd: Talisimtu. 4B« ; AVuihi, 50*5 Gd ; Uvand Juactivn, 'dlt'a bdj Auckland Gat 1 , b9a. ' —