THE FEDERAL MINISTRY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15718, 19 September 1914, Page 6

THE FEDERAL MINISTRY

*. _ The Australian Commonwealth Labour Party has returned to power with a Ministry composed much as was the Ministry of 1910-13. It can in no sense be described as an experimental Ministry. Many New Zealanders, as doubtless many Australians, would have no difficulty in peaceful times in finding grounds of serious difference with it, but when it is tested by the standard of patriotism and patriotic activity it has a record of which any Ministry in any part of the Empire might be proud. : This, at the moment, is of greater ; consequence to Australia and to : British people everywhere than the particular political colour of the j party which the new Cabinet directly I represents. No party in Australia : did more to popularise and establish I universal training than the Labour i Party which Mr. Fisher represents: Ino party did more to create the i sentiment which resulted in the building and manning of the Australian Navy, which, in the present J war, has been a strength to the | Empire, and has done direct and I specific service to New Zealand, I which every loyal New Zealander should be glad to acknowledge. The new Minister for Defence, Senator Pearce, did unquestionably good work in building up the Australian citizen army and local navy. Even those who, for political reasons, regret the defeat of the Cook Ministry, can hardly grudge him the satisfaction of controlling the administration of the forces at their first critical test. 1 J