DISINTEGRATION.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLI, Issue 9608, 6 September 1911, Page 5

DISINTEGRATION.

HON. G. FOWLDS LEAYES MINISTRY. "A STAGGERING BLOW." SENSATION IN THE HOUSE. [By Telegraph.] (By Our Parliamentary Reporter.) WELLINGTON, Sept. 5. Tho Hon. George Fowlds has resigned his scat in tho Ministry and becomes again a private member of Parliament. As representative of Grey Lynn Mr Fowlds entered tho Ministry on August 6, 1906, in company with the Hon. J. A Millar, and at tho time of his resignation ho held the portfolios of Education, Immigration and Customs, and was Minister in charge of Mental Hospitals and of tho Firo Insurance Department. Tho resignation of Mr Fowlds was announced in tho House this afternoon by Ilk- Prime Minister, who made tho following statement: "I wish to inform the House that the Hon. Geo, Fowlds has tendered his resignation of all his portfolios and also his position as a member ot the Executive Council, I waited upon His Excellency tho Governor this mornin;,r and placed tho resignation before him and it has been accepted. I desire to say how much I rcgrot that this severance with my esteemed friend as member of the Ministry has taken place, ho has been associated with tho Ministry for a littlo moro than five years. During that timo there have been no cross words between us or between him and »ny of my colleagues. Our relations have been of tho most harmonious character, throughout. I tako this opportunity of acknowledging his ability, his public spirit in tho interests of the people of the Dominion and his devotion to tho administration of the important departments ovor which lm has so ably presided. As friends we met, as friends we part, and friends I hope we shall always be." (Hear, hear),

MR FOWLDS MAKES A STATEMENT.

The Hon, G Fowlds said lie would like to say a few words to supplement tho statement of Sir Joseph Ward. Ho had not taken the stop of retirement from (ho Cabinet on account of any personal differences between the Primo Minister or his colleagues and himself because his relations personal and oflicial with them had been of a most harmonious character notwithstanding tho fact that his and their political ideals had boon _ most widely divergent on many questions. He could honestly say it was with deep regret that he \va s compelled to take tho stop ho now took. To some extent, his action had been precipitated by tho division that took placo some weeks ago on tho Town Planning Bill. The political significance o£ that vote was momentous. That a substantial number of members of the Government party should by their votes say (hat while they were not prepared to trust the Government as a whole sitting with a Governor-in-Council to do certain important administrative acts they were prepared to entrust theso acts to a Board of Government officials with porhaps ono Minister sitting as a member or as chairman, was to his mind a symptom of a very serious condition of affairs. That condition as it appeared to him was ono of dissatisfaction and unrest in tho parly in its relations with its representatives vho composed the Government. Proceeding. Mr Fowlds said: "I havo had'no indication that such dissatisfaction oentres itself in mi; personally, but I havo felt it impossible for me to remain a member of a Government which was unable to secure that measure of party loyalty necessary to carry out tho government of the country with s ome degree of dignity and self- . respect, I havo never been greatly enamoured of party government, but until we havo evolved both the machinery and (lie public spirit necessary to make some otlior form of government possible, it is essential that a Government .should havo such support as would enablo it to carry out, its functions in a reasonably dignified manner. When it is unable to do that its usefulness has gone." Mr Fowlds went on to say that ho entered public lifo for tho attainment of ideals and not with the object of attaining and maintaining placo and power. The call to tho Ministry was unsolicited either by or for him. Ho accepted it in a spirit of service and wa 5 willing and anxious at any time to stop asido if he could do better for his country out of ofiico than in it. That conviction had now come to him and had dictated tlic step he had taken He thought ho might claim in a modest way that his administration of tho departments entrusted to him had not been a failure, and he acknowledged the able and loyal assistance of his officers. He did not go out to form a now course. Ho was conscious of tho groat work Liberalism had done for Now Zealand and ho believed when history was written an honoured place would be given to legislation of Sir Joseph Ward. Continuing, Mr Fowlds said: "But tho limes in which wo live demand a. now evangel and a gospel which I havo felt I could not preach as a member of ho present Government. and so I havo .decided for freedom in order that I might express my whole soul to tho people of New Zea--1 land." Some of his friends on the Opposition side would probably say that ho was scuttling out of a. sinking ship, but tho only inducement that would havo kept him on the Government ship would havo been that of battling with adverse Opposition gales. In his iudgmejit tho present Opposition did not constitute a | factor in tho future political lifo of this country. As far as that party wa s concerned he believed that 110 Government in Now Zealand ever went to tho country with less fear, In his opinion tho pro> sent Leader of tho Liberal Party over since last election had his eyefocrssed too littlo on the forces that had been developing in askance of the Liberal Party. 111 fairness to Sir Joseph Ward and his colleagues he rebutted tho charges of corruption and Tammanyism which had been levelled against tho Government. Concluding, Mr Fowids said: "And now I havo only to express my thanks to tho members of the Government party and and courtesy shown mo while I havo of the House generally for tho kindness beon a Minister of tho Crown and to say that whenever a truly democratic party arises in this country, a party pledged to definite principles, principles which it believes in and which it is prepared to fight for, it shall have my whole-souled support; and if it should becomo numerous enough to enable it to form a Government and invites 1110 to join it, mj; sorvices will bo available. In the meantime I bolicvo I can best servo tho country as private member."

WHY HEJRESIGNED. GOVERNMENT'S HOLD GONE. NO PROSPECT OF PROGRESS. WHAT THE COUNTRY WANTS.

WELLINGTON, Sept. 5. As he walked from tho House into tho lobby, Mr Fowlds was met by a group of members eager to express their surprise at his decision, and throughout the after-, noon and tho evening ho was called upon by his friends to discuss the matter over and over again. At late hour this evening ho gave a hurried interview to your representative. "My resignation is not the result of a sudden impulso," said Mr Fowlds. "I have carefully considered my position, and having decided that it was ail anomalous one I have adopted tlio only courso open to me. "I beliovo tho Government has lost its iiold on the country," ho continued. "The dissatisfaction among tlio supporters of tlio Government, which I believe exists, is but a reflection of the dissatisfaction with which the Government is regarded throughout tho country. In my opinion, that dissatisfaction is repeated in moro omphalic form towards the Opposition, and up to the present it has had no proper channel for its expression.

"Tho country is calling for a. moro forward policy than I seo any prospect of getting from the Government—a policy more in line with the principles whioh I liavo advocated all my life, Tho crying need of New Zealand to-day is a reduction in tho cost of living. Tho best means towards that result is an increase in tho tax on land values, tho abolition of taxation on the necessaries of life, and a reduction in ' railway freights which will bring the produce of tho country into touch with the consumer at a lower cost. 1 do not seo any prospect of progress in that direction under the present policy of tho Government." In reply to a question, Mr Fowlds said he would certainly be a candidate for Parliament in tho Grey Lynn district at tho general elections. Asked whether ho would announce himself as an Independent, Mr Fowlds replied : "I do not propose to enunciate any new policy. I shall, as a private member, try to lift tho Liberal party along the lino of progress."

THE SURPRISE OF THE UNEXPECTED. It has been hinted at in these columns,, on more than one occasion recently, that Mr Fowlds would, in due course of time, bo an aspirant to the leadership of the Government of the Dominion, and that the possible entry of Sir John Findlay into tho llouso of Representatives might affect tho future political aspirations of Mr Fowlds in the direction indicated, but tho somewhat dramatic severance of his connection with tho Ministry, which he announced this afternoon, canio as a great surpriso to all but a very few. When Sir Joseph Ward arose in his placo and said that Mr Fowlds had tendered his resignation of all his fortfolios members could scarcely _ believe that they heard aright. The Prime Minister did not give the reason for this apparently sudden termination, His speech was short, and noncommittal. When Mr Fowlds rose to speak from a carefully prepared typewritten statement, the interest heightened, and ( by the time he had got half-way through his speech members on both sides of the House were listening in blank amazement. It seemed as if Mr Fowlds while dealing the Government a severe blow with one hand, was attempting to soften it with the other, while at the same time he was endeavouring to administer a kick to tho Opposition. It seemed to bo a caso of "a plague on both your houses," so that Mr Fowlds might set up a. House of his own. His reference to tho Opposition was the ono crumb of comfort to tho Ministerial benches, and it was received with a few grateful "Hear, hears." When ho resumed his seat there was some littlo applause from members who had scarcely time to recognise tho full significance of the new situation that had arisen. There was then a brief pause. No 0110 else had anything to add, and the Speaker, taking up tho Order Paper, asked, "Are there any unopposed motions?" Sir Joseph Ward replied, "No," and tho .House proceeded to business. Mr Fowlds then left his 6eat on the Ministerial benches, walked put of tho llouso and did not re-enter it again during the afternoon.

HOW THE BLOW FELL.

There cannot be the slightest doubt that the resignation came as a staggering blow to Ministerial supporters. Early in the afternoon ono was ablo to gather so much from several of thorn, who. however, would say nothing for publication under their own names. Later on it camo out that they had received instructions to say nothing at all on tho subject. One could see, however, that they wore somewhat crestfallen. So were tho Government supporters in tho Legislative Council. Ono prominent Government supporter, evidently with a view of putting the best face 011 it, said: "Tho country members arc all very . pleased." Another remarked: "I would not care to say anything. I am a friend of both Mr Fowlds and of Sir Joseph Ward, and it would put 1110 in rather an invidious position to say anything for publication." A third said: "It's a terriblo thing for tho Government. Ho might have waited till after the elections." A fourth said: "This is tho biggest blow tho party lias received for many a year." A member of the Opposition said: "It looks as if it might mean llio smashing of the Government. Some of tho party to whom I have spoken seem furious that Mr Fowlds should havo put (hem in suclr a position on the eve of an election." A country member expressed strong resentment. at the manner in which tho supporters of tho Government had been forbidden to discuss tho subject, _ "Mr Fcwlds was never fitted for tho position," ho added, "and my constituents will be greatly relieved by his resignation, for thoy lVave always beeil uneasy regarding his single-tax convictions." Another member, discussing tho possibility that Mr Fowlds would form a party of his own, said that he would always be handicappod bv his views on tho taxation of land. It, was only natural that a city dweller would desiro to impose tho whole burden of taxation on the land, but tho country people would never submit to the proposal

A LABOUR VIEW.

Hon J. T. Paul, a Labour member in tho Upper House, and ono who may be said to be closely in touch with organised Labour throughout tho Dominion, readily granted 1110 an interview, "Tho 6tiitcment made by Mv Fowlds was, t ho said, "narked by courage, and did him credit.. In my view, the country has lost a capable administrator who was .responsible for the introduction of now lines ot progress in our legislation, and who . was always actuated by a high humanitarian ideal. In a word, the country has lost a capable Minister, but has gained a man who will henceforth stand in tho position of freely advocating the principles that ho believes should bo embodied in our national legislation. It is good to be in politics when ono finds a. man \oluntiirily surrendering Cabinet rank and sacrificing immediate advantages and chances of political preferment simply becauso ho behoves his actions will stimulate political progress. To my mind tho most important part of Mr Fowlds' explanation is that portion of it in which ho refers to tho unrest throughout the civilised work!, and tho spirit of change that is universal. I believe tho lato Minister's interpretation of tho signs of the times is moro true than anything we have had from a public man of high standing for many years. I have no desire to express an opinion of tho party aspect of tho cause, but I strongly believe the resignation o Mr Fowlds will give an impetus to social reform in New Zealand such as has been lacking for many years."

INTERESTING TO PALIBSTON. AN EX-MEMBER'S OPINION. Among the interested listeners to Mr Fowlds' statement behind tlio chair was Mr McNab, the ex-Minister for Lands, a personal friend of Mr iowlds, <illd il candidate for tho Palmerston seat; at tlio general election. I saw Mr Mclsab subsequently, but lie would express no opinion on the effect of tho resignation as ho was not at present, a member of 'he House. The general opinion seems to bo that if Mr McNab should succeed in getting into the House again ho would bo found pulling in tho same boat as Mi Fowlds.

THE EFFECT OF THE RESMATION

There is, of course, a possibility that Mr Fowlds' resignation, may materially change tho face of New Zealand politics, that _ is, supposing ho is able to win his election again and re-enter tlio Houso of Representatives, As the result of his determination lie will no doubt lose many votes, but ho may gain others. The chances are that there will be no immediate political change as the result of Mr Eowlds' determination, and that nothing very important will happen till tho general election.

His retirement from tho Cabinet, and, more etill, the reasons ho so candidly gave for his retirement must have a damaging effect upon tho fortunes of tho Ministerial party at tho coming polls, with a corres- . ponding benefit to tho Opposition, The' position was already sufficiently interesting and complicated by tho presence of Sir John Findlay in tho lists as a candidate for tho Lower House, by tho fact that tho Hon. Thos. Mackenzie will have to seek a new eeat, and by the necessary appointment of a new High Commissioner at tlio end of tlie year, but now it is more complicated than ever. If rumour is not a lying jade, there have been rather interesting and exciting times in the Cabin[et of late, and even for some fecks before Sir Joseph Ward's return. Tho position at the next election may be rendered somewhat chaotic by tho presenco of a third party composed of tho ultra-radical section, including such men as Mr Fowlds and Mr Isitt, with a backing of prohibition and Labour. It is generally recognised, however, that a three-party system long prevail in New Zealand. The Dominion is too small to support three parties | Asked this evening if he had anything to state i?i _ regard to the sHuation, th'd: Prime Minister answered in the negative, i though later on ho would mako a state-' mcnt in tho Houso. Tho general impression seems to bo that the Government will not risk the appointment of a new Minister until after the elections, and that the portfolios recently held by Mr Fowkta will be distributed between Sir John Findlay and tho Hon. Thos. Mackenzie. In this event tho latter would,, no doubt, take education. I

THE LEAD]®. OF THE OPPOSITION. The Leader of tho Opposition declines to say anything in regard to tho new situation that has arisen. "In tho meantime," he says, "it is a matter between Mr Fowlds and the Government party. I'll put the position from our point of view in a few days." .

THE ADVERSE VOTE. In view of Mr Fowlds' statement about the adverse vote on the Town Planning Bill, it is interesting to recall the division in which tho Government suffered a defeat by 34 votes to 29. The Government supporters who voted against tho Minister's proposal were: Messrs Arnold, Craigie, Davey, Glover, Graham, Ilanan, Jennings, Luko, Russell, Sidey, and Witty. Mr Myers (Independent) also voted against tho Government.

A JOCULAR REFERENCE. A jocular referenco to the new situation was made later in tho afternoon. Tim Hon. R, McKenziewas speaking on tho uecond reading of his Coal Mines Amendment Bill when lie was interrupted by a laugh by Mr Herries. "I don't know what tho lion, gentleman is laughing at," said Mr McKenzie. "He generally has a vacant smile on his face. "What about tho vacant place on your side?" retorted Mr Ilerries, pointing to tho seat lately occupied by the Hon Mr Fowlds. ~ • , T 1 "Tho vacant scat is all right. I daresay you would like to occupy it," said Mr Mckenzie. • .... Mr Herries was again ready with his reply, "So we will after tho next election, he said smilingly.

LABOUR JUBILANT.

(Per Pbeßß Association.) DUNEDIN. Sept. 5. At, a meeting of the Dunedin branch of tho Labour Party to-night the following motion was carried: "That this branch desires to offer to the Hon. U. Fowlds its sincere congratulations for the position ho has taken up in separating himself from the Ministry and to record its entire appreciation of the reason for tho step taken by the Honourable gentleman, and wishes him many years of successful political life in tho future." Three hearty dicers were given for Mr Fowlds.