THE MINISTRY.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXX, Issue 3883, 28 October 1899, Page 4

THE MINISTRY.

As there is every probability—despite the cocksure 'predictions to the contrary .of those with, whom thd'-wisli is father to the thought—rthat tho Liberal majority in Parliament will not bo materially affected by tho result of tho forthcoming general election, it is opportune to inquire as to tho prospects of a strong and capable Liberal Administration being formed. Tho necessity for reconstructing tho Ministry has long been obvious, and that process has been delayed’in a way that was absolutely dangerous to tho. cohesion - of tho Ministerial party, and,, what is of in-; linitcly greater importance,, .to;the, best interests of ;tho_eountry. Mr iScddou assumed a . tromoudous responsibility when he undertook,' practically . -sixigler lianded, to carry on the work of the Government and load the. House of I’eprcsoutatives. • The fact that ho succeeded will nor, wo trust, encourage him or any other Premier to repeat the expej/ment. It-is necessary to good government that the. different departments should be elocioiilly supervised, and it'is"’’generally conceded tliat tlic full complement of six Ministers arc'over-worked rather than underworked. The successive breakdown of so many Ministers is presumptive-evi-dence' that-their positions; are; not sine-, cures. ; It must therefore be clear-; that: to carry on - the work of administration, with two Minister simultaneously, absent for some six mouths was to run the "risk of matters Tfciug neglected* or disorganised. By dint of an iron constitution; and an almost miraculous, I capacity for detail, coupled with the hearty. co-opcra-J tion.of a loyal and efficient Ciyil service, 1 the Premier has contrived toekocp.;i«atters moving; but we repeat that the! affairs of the country must not be again! jeopardised by; such rash experimenting.!

lt /may-, bo-assumed that Mr Seddon’s! object in delaying i-econstructibn was; to give thelolectors a chance of detcfmiu-; ing in some degree the personnel of the Ministry. -In the opinion of many .persons, those members of the House, who at present stand “hearest"to : the : Thfono” have not the necessary qualifications. for Ministers. .There , are! several, for instance, who are “Vicar of Bray”; politicians, and are most assiduous in . assorting their claims for consideration ;- - hut after his experience with the Hon Thomas Thompson’, tho Premier' will be ycry chary, about asking any of those jto.be'his colleagues., Another difficulty .is..-that while there is a sufficient numbey-i of-’-cou-sistent Liberals fit for Ministerial: rank ; it is impossible to give effect to tho tradi-' tional practice of giving equal district representation in the Cabinet. So "far as. wo can judge, that objection is not valid. From the present House a very- good Ministry could liave been constructed that would have commanded the confidence and respect of the House and country. The portfolios might, have boen.appor-' tioned thusi

Premier and Colonial Treasurer,. II.; J. Seddou. , 1; , '■ Minister of Lands and ' Agriculture,, . J. ,McKenzie. .. _ , .' i i"'; 'Posliimstcr-Gfeueral and "Minister of Railways and' Mariner j.v fcf., Ward. ■ ■ Vi-., 1 ‘ Minister of Defence and Justicp,’it. '■ MeNab. : ; 1 , Minister of Public Works, r Labour' and Mines, J. McGowan, ... , i Minister of Education, and Leader dfi the Legislative Council, W. Cj Walker. Member of the Executive Council! Representing the Native Race,’ J. Carroll. , . , ~ , . . : There is, indeed,”very little reason, why: the Ministry should not, assume tliat: shape now. The provincial balance is' not perfect," there being- three Otago re-: preseutatives; but thJlt nlight bo reme- 1 died by substituting the name:of Mr Montgomery for that of Mr MeNab, although the last-named .gentleman, would; be: an ideal Minister, pf .Defence and Justice. Another possibility is that Mr? McKenzie’s health may necessitate; his. retirement, in which case : a Wellington.: Minister of Lands might be found in'the; person of Mr. A. W. Hogg, the member for-Mas teuton.. A, Ministry. constituted as indicated would give populac;aatisfaction, and:, the different units worth! he possessed of sufficient individuality and independence to remove the reproach so. frequently uttered regarding a “one-man Ministry.” " The days of Ministers who are weak-

lings or worse are numbered. The Liberal members, untrammelled by personal pledges,, will,in £bg Parliament insist upon saving Mr Seddon from the effects of Jiis overrcoalideiice ,in JoimselL,. j-Etqu. if that should not prove to be the case, the Premier has* ‘doubtless profited so mHch’by-pasi-experience that h'O'W.ill deliberately; choose men, of .strong will, and capacity.-to assist.him- in tho-.work-of government;'' Whatever " obstacles may liavo'.'existed Tb'Ministerial. icconsiruction fixe. now.out of the,way, and Mr-Sen-dim •may- find 1 it- advantageous- to- ro-ar-'raugc' port folios'- pyior to. the bloolidus. Me. Ward is now.here, and .the.arrival of Mr McKenzie shortly will set at rcst-any ddMbf sis"to’ iiis',."continuance ;in office. Nothing' is*’to.jE».gained.by, waiting Till after the' elections,-for even if abler mem like-Mr'W. ’J. Napier, at' Aucklandhand MrK!4MAciloubld, in Wellington, worn- returned to reinforce Abo Liberal ranks', tbcj'icpuM 'net be given Cabinet status; oyer The. beads .of meij. of loag ser-vice;-The advantages ot going to the country 'with n. strong Minittry aiid a dcfiiille policy .are ’obvious,. and if..there is nothing, but the- attenuated ..‘‘rump’ l ■ • of a' Cabinet' when’ tho elections are,fought, there can. lm no, guarantee given .to tho people that » cioiierent. policy wiU bo- acted- upon by the Administ.raUuii’. that; may be' formed aft ert If eel pcti ou s. ■ Qp .oj.eyy gruimd .it is. desirablc-A lin-t tho Ministry should bo reconstructed at\an eprlj''dale, to that' tins’ clectoi-s'inay at\the pods express approval or disapproval-id its per-sonnel-as well hs of its policy. T