THE New Zealand Herald AND DAILY SOUTHERN CROSS. FRIDAY JUNE 19, 1903. PARLIAMENTARY MATTERS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XL, Issue 12301, 19 June 1903, Page 4

THE New Zealand Herald AND DAILY SOUTHERN CROSS. FRIDAY JUNE 19, 1903. PARLIAMENTARY MATTERS.

Although only ten. days have to elapse before the assembly of the new Parliament, very little public interest is taken in the important matters which have to be dealt with. The choice of a new Speaker, necessitated by the absence of Sir Maurice O'Rorke from the Assembly, is being somewhat heatedly discussed in the South, but the North appears to take it for granted that this office, like the great majority of others, must fall to the other section of the colony, and to accept the situation with a stoical indifference, .the philosophy of which appears to us to be wholly out of place. This, however, although an important matter, is one of the least which ought to be under active ■ discussion and j consideration by our Parliamentarians. A reconstruction of the Ministry is evidently pending, and in this, also, the legitimate _ claims of the North are likely to be ignored. For although Mr. Hogg is mentioned as a possible Minister for Lands in place of the mildly incapable Mr. Duncan, it can hardly be seriously contended that the bitter opponent or freehold is in any way a representative North Islander. Among our provincial representatives are several eligible men who would be vastly more suitable as holders of the Lands portfolio, and whose sympathy with Northern feeling is beyond question. But we shall see what we shall see. Mr. Seddon is constitutionally inclined to prefer an impractical theorist to a practical and capable administrator, an inclination by which the undeveloped North Island suffers while the comparatively developed South Island can afford to ignore it. Yet we might reasonably expect our representatives to fight strenuously on behalf of a suitable appointment to the directorship of the Lands Department, the work of which we have been told covers "the Alpha and the Omega" of the administrative policy. Another administrative change which appears to bo dimly taking shape is the separation of the various portfolios held by the Premier and the possible introduction of an individualised Minister for Labour into the Cabinet. Whether this will be accompanied by the amalgamation of other portfolios 01 will lead to another addition to our already excessively large number of salaried administrators remains to be seen. The energy with which the Premier has been propounding the doctrine that increased national business justifies and calls for increased expenditure leads to the conclusion that if a separate Minister for Labour is placed over our industrial affairs, Parliament will be asked to foot an additional bill and to authorise another increase in the Cabinet. In this connection tho name of Mr. Millar has been repeatedly mentioned, but we hesitate to think that whatever may be Mr. Seddon's plans he can be seriously considering such an inexcusable appointment. Mr. Millar is sufficiently energetic. The unfortunate thing is that he concentrates his energies in a manner which frequently offends every sec-

tion of the colony excepting the extremists of. fers own limited circle. The placing 0 a portfolio of Labour would, be difficult in. any case, but while it would be almost impossible 40 obtain a Minister to take charge of it who would satisfy everybody, the country has a right to insist that it should not be allotted in a manner which would cause general uneasiness and ' deep dissatisfaction. Nor do we know any sufficient reason why a new Minister should be summoned ■to the Cabinet. That one man should not be asked to undertake the wholesale and varied responsibilities which have been assumed by Mr. Seddon is a sound hypothesis. But if Mr. Seddon surrounded himself with vigorous and capable colleagues he would be able to find relief from his burdens without taxing the country unduly. With one exception, the present Cabinet could hardly be weakened by any change among its subordinate members, and we sincerely hope that Parliament will not be asked to | countenance another increase until Mr. Seddon has tried a more generI ally capable Ministerial staff. ! In discussing possible administraJ tive changes, we have necessarily relied upon that sustained rumour which, in spite of emphatic denials, is so frequently found to have a substantial basis. But it is obvious that any such intentions must be entirely tentative until the calibre and temper of the new Parliament has been sounded. There will be a considerable proportion of new members, from the North a very large proportion. These men are untried. Their professions are known, but the worth of their professions has yet to be weighed by the House and docketed by the Premier. The policy of the session, in administrative as in legislative matters, really lies with them. If they stand firm we shall have jnore economical administration and more careful domestic legislation. If they are unable to resist the influences that have warped the good intentions of so many of their predecessors, we may have little cause to rejoice over the work of the coming Parliament. Mi\ Seddon has sketched out his policy, with much of which we can heartily agree, but much of which should be stoutly restrained. No matter how dominant a Premier may be he is largely at the mercy of those upon whom lie relies for his standing majority, a position thoroughly well understood in the South Island, but never realised by our North Island contingents. As a result of these influences we have had extravagance on one hand and parsimony on the other, the humble subjection of legislation to small, but compact, parties, and the practical ignoring in legislation of superior but disorganised interests. That the colony should steer a safe middle course between extravagance and parsimony, and that its legislation should deal justly with all classes and refuse special privileges to any class, are sound political maxims. We trust our provincial members will endeavour to abide by them, and we would point out that they would be more encouraged to do so if-a more active and personal interest were taken in the business of Parliament.