Manawatu Evening Standard. Circulation 3,800 Copies Daily WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 6. 1911 DISINTEGRATION.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLI, Issue 9608, 6 September 1911, Page 4

Manawatu Evening Standard. Circulation 3,800 Copies Daily WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 6. 1911 DISINTEGRATION.

Undoubtedly the greatest sensation in recent years in the political life of New Zealand was occasioned yesterday when the Premier announced the resignation of Hon. G. Fowlds. Tluit it was quite unexpected by everyone except a few intimate followers of the Government is obvious from the air iof amazement with which the announcement was greeted. Mr Fowlds has been a very useful member of the Cabinet. While he holds many views which we considered to be dangerous and while on occasions lie has made statements which have provoked a good deal of feeling, Mr Fowlds' most ardent opponents have given' him credit for an honesty of purpose quite out of keeping with his surroundings, and it is due to him to say that undafl his regime the Education Department has fulfilled its important mission more satisfactorily than at any other time in the history of the present Administration, while it has kept paco with the most advanced principles in operation, in other parts of tlie world.

riie Government of the day lias not so many conscientious men that it can afford to lose Mr Fowlds, and the position is very aptly summed up in the opinion of a member of tho party who declared that a "staggering blow" had been delivered by the resignation of yesterday. "Disintegration" is the word that comes irresistibly to mind after leading the comprehensive statement of the whole position which our Parliamentary correspondent has supplied in our columns to-day. Mr Fowlos was certainly placed in an invidious posi- | tion yesterday in having to explain the reasons which actuated his decision, and he sugared a very bitter pill as thickly as possible. But the flavour was too pungent to be tempered by soft words, and the ugly truth could not be hidden. In a later interview the ex-Minister was more outspoken and gave utterance to a truth which has been patent for all except those who refused to see it when he declar-

Ed that- the "Government had lost its hold on the country." Coming from one of its own most trusted supporters this statement is quite pulverising ill its significance. It matters little to us that Mr Fowlds refuses to- see any good in the Opposition's claims to a place in public confidence. Mr Fowlds has, by his action, endorsed the largest'half of the Opposition contention by his damaging admission, and we can. wait confidently for the verdict of the country on his remark that "the present Opposition docs not constitute a factor in the future political life of this country." Such Bi pronouncement is obviously absurd, foi Mr Fowlds must know that the result of his action will enormously strengthen the position of the Reform Party while it correspondingly weakens the Govornment by the inevitable cleavage which will follow. It will be interesting to know, if Mr Fowlds' decision will be imitated by any other of the more advanced members of the party. . There arc quite a number of Liberals

•who have been chafing at the standstill policy which has marked the regime of Sir Joseph Ward, but will, they risk comfortable seats for their convictions? There is one interesting speculation indulged in by our Parliamentary correspondent which is of special interest to Palmerston. It is well known that Mr Fowlds is a personal friend -- of Mr R. McNab, the accepted Gov-

eminent candidate tor tlie raimei*ton seat. Consequently it was not surprising that Mr McNab should have been an interested listener in the House yesterday. Mr McNab declined to make a communication to our representative on the subject, and this may or may not be taken as an indication that his sympathies are with his late colleague. Whether they are or not, the fact remains that both in "Wellington and Palmerston it) has been rather freely rumoured that the ex-Minister for Lands is casting his eyes in tho same direction as the exMinister for Education/which rumour adds a good deal of interest to the Government candidate's announcement of his intentions.