THE CABINET.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XCIX, Issue 11538, 26 March 1898, Page 4

THE CABINET.

The Otago Jubilee demonstrations close to-day, and tins fact is understood to exercise some influence upon the future of the Seddon G-overn-raent. When a few months ago ruulours were circulated as to the intention of the Hon John M’Kenzieto resign the Portfolio of Lands, a statement was made, on what seemed good authority, that his resignation would be deferred till March, as the Minister had resolved not to leave on his projected visit to Scotland until after the Jubilee. It is understood that Mr M’Kenzie will be absent for at least six months, and that he has fully determined to resign in order that the interests of the country may not suffer by his absence from his post. All the indications point to this programme being carried out. The Minister of Lands has been visiting some parts of Otago in company with the Premier, and at Milton, the other day, he assured the people that he and Mr Seddon had never had anything in the nature of a disagreement. This is the kind of complimentary talk that is usually indulged in on valedictory occasions, and we infer that, within a very short time, the public will be informed that the Hon John M’Eenzie has retired from the Cabinet and is about to leave on a visit to the Mother Country. Whether the expected should happen or not, we would

impress upon the Premier the de-1 sirableness of having _ the Cabinet j strengthened in readiness for the I strain and stress of the coming parliamentary session. Under our system of triennial Parliaments,, the second session is always a crucial, one. It is the battle ground upon which the fate of the Government and its policy is practically determined. No one can pretend that the Cabinet as now constituted is possessed of the influence, the debating power and the general ability necessary to cope with the attacks of an Opposition that has all its weapons well f urbished, and has the advice of wily political generals. The Department of Defence has been so discredited by the evidence laid before the Police Commission that it would be the height of folly to meet Parliament without replacing the Minister at the head of that department, even were he a more capable and experienced man than the Hon Thomas Thompson. It is inviting shipwreck of the Cabinet to keep such a Jonah on board, and it does not matter in the least that neither the present Government nor the present Minister of Defence is responsible for the vicious system under which the police force has been corrupted and deteriorated. Public opinion will insist that the Minister shall be sacrificed, and that a stronger man, and one possessing the popular confidence in a higher degree, should be given the work of supervising the reforms to be introduced, and of establishing the new and better order of things. There are fresh rumours, too, of the probable retirement of the Minister of Mines, so that there is a likelihood of there being three portfolios to apportion before the meeting of Parliament. For the sake of the proper conduct of public business and the continuance of Liberal administration we earnestly trust that the Premier will lose no time in reconstructing the Cabinet. Our own wishes in the matter may count for little, but we would impress upon the Premier the necessity of paying • some deference to the popular sentiment in choosing his new colleagues. From all sections of poli-. ticians and of the Press repeated warnings have come that the people expect the ablest men of the* Liberal Party and _ those possessed of thorough individuality and independence to be associated in the government of the country. Mr Seddon has now the opportunity of reuniting the Liberal Party and of redeeming the Cabinet from - the . taunt of being a “ one man ” affair by calling to his councils one or two Independent Liberals whose ability is undoubted and who possess the respect of the public of the colony. We are now within three months of ; the meeting of Parliament, and the necessary reconstruction of the Cabinet must be undertaken without if the new Ministers are to be initiated into their duties before the turmoil of the session commences. It | would, we feel assured, be a welcome relief to the public if the Premier were to publicly announce at an early date what his intentions are in the matter.