POLITICAL OUTLOOK.

Evening Post, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 77, 30 March 1912, Page 5

POLITICAL OUTLOOK.

THE NEW MINISTRY. MR. VEITCH INTERVIEWED. HE DECLINES TO CRITICISE OR EXTOL. fBX TELEGRAPH— J>itESß -ASSOCIATION.] WANGANUI, 'flue Day. ' Interviewed regarding the political situation, Mr. Veitch, Labour M.P. for Wanganui, declined either lo criticise or extol the new Ministry, saying that when they brought down a platform and showed what they wore going to do, it would be time enough to jydgo them. At the «ame time, there were two outstanding features that could not be over.f 1 ;. ? no Was that no less than four portfolios had been allotted to Canterbury; the other was that in ihe portiohos oi Finance, Defence, and Railwayc, Mr. Myers had- be<>n given enough work to keep at least three industrious men fully employed. .Mr. Veitch thought the time had tirnved when either the numbur of MmiV ters should -be increased or Parliamentary Undei'-Secrelanee uppointott to uwint them. He said that though a number of newspapers had stated that 'he had boon ' oftered a portfolio, and predicted his inclusion in the Cabinet, tho fact was that He had received no euch offer. To hi» mind, the situation of the past few weeks'' clearly showed the necessity for tho adoption of an olective Ministry, but thoro was not much hope at present of Parliament carrying it, a majority being opposed to tho idea. He thinks Cabinet should just give, attention to electoral reform, and pass a measure providing for a proportional system of representation. DUNEDIN OPINIONS. MR. T. '"k7 SIDEY. IF OTAGO'S INTERESTS ARE - OVERLOOKED. [BY TELEOBAPB— SPECIAL XO Tttfl POM.] DUNEDIN, This Day. At yesterday's meeting of the Law-rence-Roxburgh Railway League reference was made by several speakers to the hostility displayed by the new Prime Minister to this line. Mr. Sidey, M.P., eaid Jit I find, ac seems evident by the construction of the Ministry, Otago interest* are over-looked, I will, if neceeeary, reconsider my position with regard to tho Government;" Mr. James Allen, M.P., interviewed, said the Cabinet was apparently not the selection of the new Prime Minister, but of others, including Sir Joseph Ward. So curious a combination as the new team could not be expected to formulate a policy on any one question that all' could agree with ; they would be guided by expediency, rather than go v to*the country. He would strongly oppose any proposal providing for the pay of tW6 extra Ministers. The Mayor of Dunedin (Mr. Burnett) holds that any Ministry that does mi include Mr. Millar will, from the Otago point of view, fall very far ehort of what is due to this nart of the. Dominion. Major Ritchie, who is chairman of the Chamber of Commerce, thinks Mi*.'Myers, though not tried, will bo found to be a strong supporter of the Defence scheme. On bei»g asked this morning his 'opin- * ion regarding tho new Cabinet, Mr. Sidey said that he was disinclined to express himself/unreservedly on th© subject at present. What struck him lMost forcibly was the fuct that Canterbury was given no less than four members of the Executive and Olago none. He had. always recognised that Mr. Millar'* •claims to office were superior to his own, but if for any reason Mr. Millar waß not included in the new Ministry ho con-, sidered that as representative of Otago he ha^l strong c%iims. He had never urged them, either directly or indirectly. He -had never been an office-seeker in Parliament; he had even discouraged the suggestion that ho was to be offered a portfolio at the present time, but, looking at the position 'as it now ap- _ > peared, it was impossible for him not * to feel that such a situation indicated Mot only a want of consideration for Otago, but it seemed a personal reflection on himself. He would refrain from further reference to that aspect of 'the situation beyond saying that he ,had spoken fearlessly at recent meeting* of the Government Party aud without tho slightest regard to self -advancement. Ho had also at times expressed himself strongly regarding certain Otago interests and those of the Dunedin City Council, but his consistent loyalty to his: party Avould not be questioned. , MR. MASSEY'S OPINION. A DIVIDED PARTY. NOT LIKELY~TO REMAIN IN OFFICE LONG. |BX TILTSaBAPII— -rRESS ASSOCIAIXI'Nt] STRATFORD, This Day. Mr. W. T. Massey (Leader of the Opposition) and Mr. J. £$•. Hine (member for the district), with visiting members of Parliament, wore banqueted laet night at Kohuratahi, on the route of the Stratford-Te Koura railway, the party being tho first passengers to go , through the Whangamomona' tunnel. * They received a good reception at" the* hands of the settlers, who ■were enthusiastic in their expressions of goodwill. Speaking at the banquet, Mr. Massey referring to the new Cabinet, saiij its members were divided on "the land question, three being nominal freeholders and the remainder leaseholders. On no question of any importance were they united ; on every possible, question they were divided; and a party divided against itself could not stand. From a party point of view this suited him admirably ; from a patriotic point of view it did not suit him, as euch an Administration was not likely to do any right or proper thing. However, it ( was not likely to remain in office long. Mr. Massey left Stratford for Welling* ton to-day. MR. PAYNE~DISSATISFIED. "NOT SUFFICIENTLY PROGREBSIVE." [BT TBtSattAPH— BVKOIAL TO XHfl Po»i.. NAPIER, This Day. There is a llkolihood of Mr. Payne, M.P. for Gvey Lynn,, again becoming a determining factor in the political situation. H« i* dissatisfied with the now Cabinet on the grounds that it is not sufficiently progressive and does not include a Labour member. For the&a reasons ho will vote against the Administration and give Mr. Masseyan opportunity of demonstrating the sincerity of his professions of sympathy towards Labour. •* THE HOnTtT BUXTON, RECIPROCAL TARIFF WITH AUSTRALIA. TIMARU, 29th March. The Hon. T. Buxton hat> received many congratulatory uwsgages. In. tfes '

course of an interview, he said he accepted office in. the hope of being able usefully to'terve the farming community. He mentioned especially a lecipxocal tariff, with Australia on farm products. If offered a portfolio later he would prefer Commerce and Agiiculture. .Mr. Buxton has been urged to accept nomination for another term as Mayor <5f Teanuka, but has declined.