COALITION CABINET.

Greymouth Evening Star, 1 July 1915, Page 2

COALITION CABINET.

, TELEGRAMS.

LEADERS TO CONFER, INTERESTING STATEMENTS IN THE HOUSE, PRIME MINISTER AND THE S INITIATIVE. [By Telegraph—Special to the Star.] WELLINGTON, This Hay. It was announced in the House of Representatives yesterday afternoon that the leaders of both parties would confer this (Thursday), morning regarding the National Cabinet proposal. Sir Joseph Ward, who gave this information to members, said: "Speaking on this matter yesterday I said 'lt will' be recognised that an Opposition in a minority under .any circumstances could-not, and would not, move in a matter of supreme importance such as this.' I hold that opinion even more strongly after carefully considering the matter. I may say at once I am prepared to consider the suggestion made 'by the Prime Minister, but the onus lies with him. The Right Hon. Gentleman has, since the House met, invited me to meet him to-morrow morning and I shall be glad to do so to hear and consider any proposal he may lay before me. . I wish to make this statement for the reason that the position may not be misunderstood outside the House. The matter was brought up last evening, and I have already been asked by many people whether lam doing anything. As I am not the mover in the matter I wish to put the position perfectly clear."

The Prime Minister answered : "I am very pleased to hear the reply ol the Leader of the Opposition. Of course the initiative rests with the Government, and I accept the onus of responsibility in connection with the issue. I have already moved officially, and 1 am glad to hear the hon. gentleman intends to come along to-morrow morning and discuss the details. i hope something; very satisfactory will result therefrom." PROPOSAL APPROVED. PRESS COMMENT. IMPERIAL INTERESTS PARAMOUNT. [By Telegraph—Special to the Star.] AUCKLAND, This Day. The New Zealand Herald, commenting editorially on the proposal of National Cabinet says : "The Reform Cabinet, through the Prime Minister, has made an offer which entails considerable personal sacrifice and much readjustment, but a sense of doing their duty will reward the self-sacri-ficing Ministers, and the country will not be slow 7 to recognise their unselfish loyalty. The readjustments and allocations of portfolios are naturally a somewhat delicate and difficult operation, but if the party leaders approach the difficulty in a patriotic and conciliatory spirit it will not be found insuperable. In a National Cabinet there must necessarily be some party arrangement l as a basis for unity, but apart from this the sole question in the allocation of portfolios should be administrative qualifications. Particularly is this essential for the great portfolioes which deal with the more important parts of our national energies. We may safely leave this arrangement to Mr. Massey and Sir Joseph Ward, whose guiding principle, if a National Cabinet is mutually accepted by them, will certainly be to justify its formation by making its administration creditable to the Dominion and serviceable to the Empire." In its leading article to-night the Star says : "Tlie proposal put forward by Mr. Massey for the formation of a National Government is well worthy of careful consideration. There is certainly much to be said for the Premier's view of the situation that the united powers of the country are required to discharge successfully our heavy obligations to the great cause we are helping to uphold, and that any form of party conflict will divert our attention from the great questions at issue and militate against our wholehearted performance of this one supreme duty. These are facts so obvious that they need no discussion. The one practicable means of counteracting the weaknesses and evils inseparable from political controversy at such a time as this «eem s to be the combination of all the various parties into which the people and the Parliament are divided into one national party, representing a conciliation Government. Onlv in this way can we hope to malce the best of our resources and our _ opportunities, to meet this great crisis with the maximum satisfaction .to fm d be fit to aid Britain, the Empire, and its Allies."