The Star. MONDAY, JULY 9, 1906. THE POLITICAL SITUATION.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LI, Issue 9137, 9 July 1906, Page 4

The Star.

MONDAY, JULY 9, 1906. THE POLITICAL SITUATION.

Delivered every evening by 6 o'olook in Hawera Manaia, Norm&nby, Okaiawa, Eltham, Mangatold, Kaponga, Awattraa, Opun&ke, Otakeho. Manatahi, Alton, Hurleyvifle, Patea, and Waveriey.

It is not likely that the political situation will be in any way altered during the next four weeks by any writing that may be done by the best informed or the least informed of political critics, but the proverb about a straw showing the direction of the wind is applicable in political mat ters, and the articles in leading papers on, various aspects of public affairs just now give an indication of what is being said and thought in party circles. For instance the Lyttelton Times made some remarks the other day on the attitude of the Premier, Hon. Hall-Jones, which certainly are not without interest. Mr HallJones is not, of course, responsible for J what any paper may dhdose to say, but on j the other hand the public may fairly guess that when statements are made in Bympa-, thetic quarters as to the possible attitude of a public man the "possible" is really

to be read as "probable," and some idea is obtained as to future developments. Thus the Times expresses wonder that the impression has got abroad that Mr HallJones intends to retire directly he is relieved of the Premiership^ and it says : — "We know he has not that love of office with which the Liberal politicians are credited by the Opposition Press, but we believe his keen sense of duty would prevent him from retiring simply because he is tired of office or because he is required to occupy a subordinate position in the Ministry. If he does decline to serve under Sir Joseph "Ward it will bo because he has failed to secure sufficient assurances from the new Premier on some cardinal points of the Liberal policy. The present Premier is an ardent land reformer, with a firmly rooted belief in the leasehold form of tenure. If Sir Joseph Ward should propose to concede the freehold to Crown tenants on any terms whatever ho would probably decline to accept a portfolio. Then he certainly would not approve of the huge borrowing policy attributed to Sir Joseph Ward in connection with a scheme for the completing of the whole of the main trunk railway lines within the next five or six years. We may take it for granted that he would rather retire than depart from, the prudent finance of his predecessor, but there is no reason to suppose that Sir Joseph has any intention of reversing Mr Seddon's pro- j gramme. He has as consistently supported the optional system of tenure as his dhief did, and the scheme for finishing the trunk lines need not necessarily involve a huge addition to the Public Works expenditure. It is quite possible that in the rearrangement of portfolios Me Hall-Jones may be offered the Treasurership, and in that case would be able to give effect to his own views in the discharge of the position." It is fairly deducible from tJm thai Mr Hall-Jones has strong view®, and that he will not play quit 9so subsidiary a part in a future Ministry as he did in th.© Seddon administration. It suggests also a general recognition of the fact that the personality of Sir Joseph Ward will not be that of Mr Seddon. We do not I remember that the possible attitude of any [Minister or prospective Minister towards ; the late Premier was ever discussed bo freely as the Times discusses the position of Mr Hall-Jones. The same paper has a good deal to say on the Teporfced activity of the Country party, and rather resents it, and as to its claim for "adequate representation of country interests in the Cabinet" remarks : "We do not know .what more this party want in this direction than they have' already. There is not a city representative in the Ministry, and there has not been one since Mr Thompson retired after his brief term of office. Indeed, city interests have not been represented at all well in the Ministry since the resignation of Mr Reeves. The Premier represents Timaru, it is true, but has nevpr been claimed as a town representative. Of course, there is nothing like a Town party in the House, and there was neveT the slightest excuse for raising the cry Town versus Country. With the Country party delivering ultimatums to the Government, we hardly know -what curious developments to expect." The last sentence is significant.