THE MINISTERIAL VACANCY.

Free Lance, Volume XVI, Issue 867, 16 February 1917, Page 6

THE MINISTERIAL VACANCY.

Two More Probables. TWO more "probables" have been mentioned in connection with, the vacanty in the Ministry caused by the death of the Hon: Dr. McNab. These are Messrs. T. K. Sidey, the member for. Bunedin South, and Mr. George Forbes, the member for Hurunui. Each of these gentlemen i has been a fair number of years ,~ in Parliament, but neither of them can f be said to have the same strong party claims as those undoubtedly ppsessed by Mr. T. M. Wil--ford. Mr. Sidey possesses many of the qualities that distinguished the . late jsr. McNab, and .like him he hag had a. legal training, has literary tastes, and has always taken a deep interest in educational affairs. \ ■ ■■'* :' ';* '■ ■ ■#-.' ■ '■~* Mr. George Forbes: is a popular country member endowed with strong .' common-sense, and has proved a, very valert-'and tactful whip for the Liberal :';■ Party. •.' '.•'. :",.' ; ; V But in our opinion; Mr. Wilford has, or ought to have, the strongest claim to the Ministerial vacancy. The trouble is that party jealousies and personal ambitions may be brought to bear upon Sir! Joseph Ward in favour of other candidates. Of course, it may be argued that the National. Government is quite strong enough numerically _ already, and that there is no ■ necessity, .either immediate,,or in the near future, when the Prime Minister and Sir Joseph return from London, to add to its ranks. If, however there is-to be a new Minister; and if; as we still think it would be the right thing to do, Mr. Veitch be not appointed (taking over .the Labour portfolio from the muchoverburdened Prime Minister) then it is difficult to see how Mr. Wilford's undoubtedly strong claims to promotion can be justly overlooked. . j