HON GEORGE FOWLDS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXXII, Issue 15715, 7 September 1911, Page 7

HON GEORGE FOWLDS.

SIGNIFICANCE OF HIS RETIRE-

MENT.

OPINIONS AND GUESSWORK. [Fnoii Our Correspondent.] WELLINGTON, September 6.

Tho resignation of the Hon George Fowlds from the Ministry is the only topic in the lobbies to-day. Opinions are not obtainable by vehicle of the interview. Canterbury members are silent on tlie matter, and the leader of tbo Opposition also declines to say anything just now. Outsiders are asking what attitude tho ex-Minister will adopt in the House, and lie may be allowed to answer that question himself.

“I shall support the Government proposals,” he says, “ as far as they are in harmony with the general principles I have stood for. I am not taking up any position of antagonism to the Government. 1 will try to help them along tho path ot progress rather than hinder them.” Meanwhile he has taken a seat on the Liberal benches. He will retain liis title of Honourable, as it is an unwritten rule that tho holding of the title for three years ensures its permanence.

Members may he silent, but theories are abundant to account for Dir Fowlds’s retirement beyond the reasons given by himself. Dlany students regard the event as the first step towards tho formation of a third party, either now or hereafter, with the Hon. G. Fowlds at its head ready to step into any breach. His followers would be, of course, tlio Radicals and Independents in tlio House, of whom there are a goodly number. Nobody expects that Dir Fowlds will he very long an ordinary private member, and the question arises whether ho lias timed his run a bit too early, to use a sporting phrase. Whether the Radical wing will declare itself is another question. There aro those who profess to believe that tlio resignation will damage the Government at the election; but, as the underlying reason for it appears to he impatience at delay in approaching Mr Fowlds’s ideals it is hard to follow any reasoning that will give the Conservative Party an advantage. Tlie opinion of the Hon J. T. Paul, a representative of Labour in tbe Legislative Council, is of some interest. “ I think tho Minister's statement was courageous, and did him great credit - ,” he said. 1 ‘ To my mind lie has been a capable administrator, and responsible for introducing some new hues of progress into the legislation of the day, and he was unquestionably a factor in making for a higher conception of humauitarianism as expressed in legislation. It can fairly be said that his resignation has justified the high opinions held of him as a man with political convictions. Now and then certain people express contempt for Parliament and politicians. It does one good to bo in the political arena, and to see a Dlinister step down from Cabinet rank to that of a private member simply because ho teeis that he can best promote the ideals lor which lie stands in the lesser capacity. It is good for our national life to have men who will take such steps as have just been taken by Dir Fowlds. I think tho thing which transcends all others in importance in the statement made by Dir Fowlds is that it is, to my mind, a true interpretation of the spirit of the times. If we turn to his statment we find the following rdirases: ‘ Everywhere throughout the civilised world to-day we seo a spirit of unrest amongst the mass of the people, an unrest, let me say, which is justified by tho social conditions in which the great mass of the people live, an unrest which will not be quieted until a condition of social justice has been established. If I can succeed to any great extent in moulding this rising tide of a new democyucy into what I believe to be the right channels, then I shall be more than repaid for what appears like present sacrifice.’ ” v

“ There is no ambiguity whatever about that statement,” said Air Paul, ‘‘ and,' speaking from my point of view, 1 believe it is an interpretation of and in absoluto harmony with the spirit of progress. Therefore, under the circumstances, I can arrive at no other conclusion than that Air Fowlds lias taken a right step which, however it may affect his political future, will bo an immense benefit to the cause of progress in this country.” In the Legislative Council to-day the Attorney-General, referring to Air Fowlds’s resignation, said: ‘‘May I take this opportunity of officially informing the Council of the fact that a member of the Government, Air Fowlds, lias tendered his resignation of the portfolios he held and also his position in the Executive, and that liis resignation has been accepted .by his Excellency the Governor. I desire to say that the severance which I have referred to is one which has given me and the other members of the Executive a very great deal of regret. No one acquainted and associated with Air Fowlds, as I have been for nearly five years now, could possibly fail to appreciate his industry, his courage and his wide general knowledge of political questions. (Hear,hear.) He has done excellent work in tho portfolios he has held. We are about to discuss the Mental Defectives Bill, which is his Bill, and which is part of considerable legislation aimed at true and humanitarian principles, for which he may claim to be largely responsible. He has been. throughout these years not only my colleague, but also a very close friend, and I hope my colleagues and I will retain a continuance of the friendship wo all value. We all share in the regret that, for tho reasons stated, he has left tho Administration.”