THE POLITICAL POSITION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 14934, 6 March 1912, Page 8

THE POLITICAL POSITION.

SESSION POSSIBLE NEXT. MONTH. A CANADIAN 'PRECEDENT. It lias already been stated that owing to the proposed reconstruction of the Ministry Parliament may be called together again next month to test the point whether tho Ministry, when it is formed, lias the confidence of a majority of the House. In this connection it is of interest to* recall the Canadian precedent of 1858, which was quoted by' Air. James Allen, in last Thursday night's debate. Tho citation in from a memorandum by tho then Gov-ernor-General (Sir Edmund Head): "The Governor-General has no objection to ! prorogue tho Parliament without the members of the now Administration taking tiieir seats during the present session. But, if he does so, it ought, liis Excellency thinks, to bo on an express under: standing that Parliament shall meet, again as soon as possible. . ! . . Until the new Ministers meet Parliament, His Excellency has no assurance that they possess tho confidenco of the majority of the House. The business transacted in the interval, ought, in his opinion, to bo confined to matters necessary for . tho ordinary administration of the province."

A rumour gained some currency in the city yesterday that Mr. A. M. Myers, member for Auckland East, had been invited to accept the Leadership of the Liberal party. It was mentioned to him last evening, and Mr. Myers replied that ho had heard nothing whatever of such an invitation.

SIR JOSEPH WARD'S FUTURE. POWERS OF THE NEW MINISTRY. [BY TELEGRAPH.OWN CORRESPONDENT.] Chbistchukch, Tuesday. There is (says the -Press) a prevalent feeling in Wellington that one of the first recommendations of the caucus-made Ministry, if it should be allowed to transact any more than the routine of administration, will be for the appointment of Sir Joseph Ward as New .Zealand representative on the Imperial Trade Commission, which is to tour the British Empire for the purpose of collecting information as to the trade conditions and prospects of each of its constituent parts.- The Commission is an outcome of the recent Imperial Conference, and it is understood that members are to receive a salary of £2000 a year, and travelling expenses. Wo do not say that Sir Joseph Ward is not well qualified in many respects for such a post. It is, however, clear that so important an appointment ought only bo made on the-recommendation of a Min- j istry; proved to have the confidence of a majority of the House. While we may admit that the Commission ought to bo kept free from party colour, yet, as a matter of principle, such an important nomination should be made by a Ministry firmly based on the will of the people, and not one which has simply intrigued itself into a temporary occupation of the position of a Government by the use of unworthy political devices.