A DUNEDIN PREDICTION.

Evening Post, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 76, 29 March 1912, Page 8

A DUNEDIN PREDICTION.

[BX TELBGBAPH — SPECIAL TO THE FOST.] DUNEDIN, This Day. ' The Star is of- the opinion that when Parliament reassembles the Mackenzie Cabinet will have to meet an Opposition reinforced by three or four members or supporters of the Ward Government. It expresses surprise that the Prime Minister has dared to disregard Otago's claims for representation with such I -cynical boldness. i CANTERBURY'S LIST ! jT»* TETJSGRAPH— PEESS ASSOCIATION.] CHRISTCHIJRCH, This. Day. Mr. Witty was invited to join the Ministry but declined. Surprise is expressed locally at the number of Canterbury Ministers. The reception of the announcement is on the whole cordial. PRACTICAL SUBSTANCE, NOT PARTY SHADOW STATEMENT BY THE PRIME MINISTER. Interviewed by a Post reporter this afternoon as to whether he had a manifesto to give to the public, the Hon. T. Mackenzie replied : — "No. I have been so fully occupied that I have not thought of any political manifesto. However, I can 6ay that we will devote ourselves unsparingly- to the closer settlement of our country, to the development of our agricultural and pastoral interests, to forwarding our mining and to promoting and fostering our trade and manufactures, both here and abroad, and to improving the conditions of our people. We desire to settle down to solid work and to deal with questions which really affect the progress of our country. To give, in short, the practical substance, and not the party shadow. "The country - has for the past 6ix months been in the throes of political unrest, and we believe that th^e people are tired of party wranglings which have been going on to the overshadowing of the proper consideration and promotion of the great national interests, interests which we should all have so closely at heart. I have confidence that the people of this' Dominion, will appreciate a party that will quietly and resolutely settle down to doing the work the country requires done. My colleagues, although qew to Ministerial rank, are well-known as zealous and capable public men, who have filled many important public positions for years past. They are also recognised as enthusiastic 'men. who will bring their best energies to' bear on the departments committed to their, care. All I ask at this time is that the people of New Zealand should suspend their judgment until the new Administration has had a reasonable opportunity to justify its existence. If that be done, I have little fear of the result."