THE COMMONWEALTH CRISIS.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LIII, Issue LIII, 14 April 1908, Page 4

THE COMMONWEALTH CRISIS.

According to the caLles on Satordajv, Mr Alfred Deakin is to resign tho Prenjfarriiip of the Australian Camr WWwfoahh to-mcrrow As suggested yesterday tin.- resignation jnay°bc delayed until the clo«» of the session in order-to- give Sir William Lyn© more time to. form a, new Cabinet, far it is generally believed that upou Sir William the mantle of leodcirslup will fall. Tlu^circtiinstances of tho rutirern^|^^«aj^tfeit Mr Deakin is very lirOT?>^f^tiia; pities,., respotnsibilitits and wo*h<?e'o£ his high 'office, for h© is' resigning without a pretence vf a struggle and upou ground.* which, an officolwngry and tenacious politician would. not. regard as, sufficient. The

j cause of tho oriels was simply this: A Labor member proposed a Koyai Coim.-iis&icn to taks tho place of the Government CommisMon which is about to investigate tho Postal D> partmemt'. On tho motion to adjourn tliei debatei Ministers- were in the minority of three, and Mr Deakin inSibted on regarding tho decision, of the House as a vote *,i censure. No doubt Mr Dcukin has felt far loss pride iv Premiership than, say, the late Mr Soddon did, for whale the latter had aa ovunvhelming lrajority at las back, and in, a. rcjnaikable stiite of subjection, Mr DeaLin has never commonded an absolute majority in the Federal Parliament Ho l>as held office) all along on sufferance; he has bern kept m p!*ition solely by tlxe grace of the l.aboi pai-ty. It is more than likely that Mr Deakin, is sleeping more soundly now that he has decided to free himself froau the dominaucc> of Labor, a.nd we should not be surprised to hear a vigorous declaration of indegendemce — which has long heeai denied him. Sir Win.. Lyric is a far more likely co-learier with. Labor than Mr Dtakin, for lie has ipony times proclaimed himself a Socialist. Although the crisis was accidental it is not improbable that tihe loading labcrites, who have beem without the frweotis of office so long, will eagerly seize the chance that is now offered. But at tha same tame they are certain to dnve Hie hai'dcst bargain possible. A menage yesterday stated that ilie Labcr caucus was willing to support Sir William Lyne "if given a majority oi portfolios." The ntw rremicr— or lialf-Fiemicr as tKe case may be —will have a difficult task in leaving out v sufficient number of his r-rosewt coUwguea iv order to make room for the I*kor group. If the two parties pho a loya A cooperation tc the coalition, tk.-y would be strong enough to \sork. But tlie act of creating Labor Mmistere will ! drive seme of Mr Deakin's followers to the Opposition. Again, if the (■edition be. formed the Labor pn.rty will Love to iominit. thMUX>\ves> wl>ieh tlioy have not dene hitherto, to a fscal policy — and the tariil is always a live and perilous queisiticn in, Australia Thtre should bo ilcivelopir.ents < E mora than, Drdiiuuy interest during ilie next few dayy. [A message today, received s'ncei tlio foi'egoing was in type, states, that Mr Deakir. is to hold office until tlie tarifi debate is iinished, or perhaps till tho tod U the present session.]