THE H.B. TRIBUNE. THURSDAY, MARCH 28, 1912. CABINET-MAKING.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume II, Issue 89, 28 March 1912, Page 4

THE H.B. TRIBUNE. THURSDAY, MARCH 28, 1912. CABINET-MAKING.

The IJon. T. Mackenzie is ci identic hai nig more trouble with his task of Cabinet making than lie anticipated. Tiiis, we believe, is not due to poison al objection to the new leader, as he is a levt 1-headed, tactful man, who could bo relied upon to win and retain the esteem of his party. But lie is called upon to perform a task which bristles with serious difficulties. Mr. Mackenzie has net courted these ; they have been thrust upon him, ami it looks painfully as if he is to n" made a seapegoar for the discredited party. Every day’s delay in announcing the new Ministry makes the pi sition worse and complaint and ridicule, is rife even amongst the wannest Government supporters. Revelations from the nctcrioun con-ft.-euc - c-.-utinue to supply additional farcical details. Coupled with the redoubtable Labour triciunvirate we now hear the paine of Mr. Isitt. Taking advantage of tne Labour attitude. Mr. Isitt has been credited with the most dictartor’al conduct, and it is openly stated that he has busily engaged himself in the task of Uakir.tt-making which should rightljhaie been left to Mr. Mackenzie. Rumour states that Mr. Millar has to thank him for exclusion from the leadership, and we can conceive this to be quit-.- possible when remembering the prohibition views held by the member for Christchurch. The irony of the whole thing must cut deeply into Mr. Millar, and -if he remains the dutiful follower of a Ministry manufactured by an anti-liquor extremist- .and a couple of pledgebreakers we shall be very greatly surprised. It is asking rather more than a man of Mr. .Millar’s calibre can agree to give, and unless he drons out of politics altogether there will inevitably be trouble If Mr. Millar declares his independence he wid not speak by liimsef alone, and he does not require to take many friends with him to the cross benches to make Air. Mackenzie's position untenable. The Dunedin veteran is ‘jure, also, t-o receive much public sympathy, because the tactics used against him do not appear Io have been :’air. The selection has not been made by the Liberal party. Mr. Isitt has time ami again, with perfervid eloquence, declarer! his com plate independence. But his election declaration would iimk;Grange bedfellow for his action at the caucus. Likewise we find the “Labcur” triumvirate declaring that they remain a distinct party and at the same time dominating the Liberal cr.’icus. Is it, any wonder that ridicule should thicken amongst the р. and Mr. Millar find just с. for i-niK.-our Ii is also sfni-d that Mr. Ish! has prohibited the :n elusion of Mr. Myers in the Cabinet

because of his brewery interests. Will the Liberal party bow its neck again to the dictator ? We should not be the least bit surprised. It has humiliated itself with so much dirt that a little more humiliation will not matter much. It is all, however, very painful for Mr. Mackenzie, and his friends throughout the country cannot fail to sincerely regret, the circumstances which have placed him in such an uncomfortable position. But turning from Mr. Mackenzie’s troubles in Cabinet-making, we are forced to ask how long this sort, of thing is to go on. Ever since the elections the Liberals have been attempting to patcii up stable Go-verr-ment, and to-day we find them as far off the goal as ever. As matters stand now the country has practically no responsible Government. Sir Joseph Ward has publicly announced his resignation, and the Ministry has been sadly depleted by defection and rejection ; therefore if Mr. Mackenzie fails in his task or continues to struggle with diffiuclties, what is to be done ? TVill the Governor prevent a continuance of the farce and send for Mr. Massey, or yill he give Sir Joseph Ward notice to set his house in order ? The crisis must be ended before long. I