THE NATIONAL CABINET

Otago Daily Times, Issue 17065, 25 July 1917, Page 6

THE NATIONAL CABINET

RUMOURS OF DISSENSIONS. REFERRED TO IN THE HOUSE. (Fbom Odd Own Correspondent.) WELLINGTON, J-ulj 24. That tliero have been dissensions in the National Cabinet has been freely rumoured in tho precincts of Parliament and out of it. Thbso rumours woro referred to by Mr Forbes when ho was speaking on tho Ad-druss-in-Reply this alter noon. ILe said he wanted la deal with the matter in a friendly spirit. When the National Government was being formed ho did his best to bring it iLto existence. Tho suce. ss ol tho National Cabinet depended on the loyal spirit of both sides of the House, and iio wanted that to continue. Jtlo wanted tha National Government to continue in • - till tho end of the war. " Our representatives," he said, " entered tho Cabinet on the understanding that they would bo treated With every consideration in tho work carried out by them. I don't want to see tho National Government wrecked." Mr Forbes stated that the other day when the Second Division deputation waited on the Prime Minister it was noticed that tho Minister of Finance was absent. Mr Forbes paid a glowing tributo to Iho manner in which the deputation stated its case, and regretted the absenco of tho Minister of Finance. Mr Wilford: 110 was specially asked to attend. lam very 6orry he did not have tho opportunity cf hear.ng those men as wo did. I think that as a result we will be under a distinct disadvantage when wo discuss the matter here.

Ihe Primo Minister said ho was only too pleased to have any other member of the Government present- at deputations, but hp had told those arranging deputations that unless they notified tho other Minsters separately the responsibility must not rest with him but with thorn His private secretary had just informed him that a note yas sent to Sir Joseph Ward's room the night before the deputation waited on him. Whether Sir Joseph Ward received the messago he could not say. He would havo been only too pleased to have had Sir Joseph Ward or any other member present. Sir Joseph Ward made no statement. The Hon. A. L. Herdman, who followed Mr Forbes, replied to many of the remarks made by tho member for Hurunui. He had been a member of tho National Government for two years, and ho could say that the Prime Minister had extended uniform courtesy to every member. The sort of criticism which had been made was mischievous and only likely to anv breach instead of cementing tho Cabinet. Mr Massey and Sir Joseph Ward had gone away together, and had come back smiling. During the absenco of theso two prominent members of the Cabinet every member had done h?s best to carry out his duties to the country. Mr Witty: For himself. Mr Herdman: I deny it Continuing, the AHornev-generil stated that everybody was glad that the fusion did tako placo. It was a surprise to him that such a collrction of "'ncompatible elements could be brought together and made homogeneous. . Later in the evening Mr Herdman said it was a bless ; ng to New Zealand that after tho war _ started the two leaders decided to combine for the purpose of carrying on the Government. "Much had been done by them which could never have been done had they _ not united, and they deserved the lasting gratitude of tho oom-nu'n-ty for having decided to bury their political differences. It was impossible for any Government to carry on .the business of the countrv in times like these and please everybody. Even in times of peace it was impossible to do so They had to consider all sect-ons of tho community. They had the gentleman who wanted to be taxed, ? the one who did not want to * ~ , P y llad the gentleman who wanted to Bell his wool at a high price, and they had the one who did not want him to. Then they had the 6 o'clock closer and the 10 o'clock closer, the butter taxer and the anti-butter taxer; and they had the people who always thought they could govern the country better than anyone else, but whom unfa ; r circumstances prevented from acting as the saviour of their country. He did not think anyone, with the exception of the M : nister of Defence, had had a heavier task during the absence of the leaders than tho Minister of Agriculture (the Hon Mr Mac Donald). He thought that the Government was entitled to credit for what it had done. After referring to the steps taken m regard to_ meat, wool, '■ cheese, butter, •etc., the Minister stated that had not the Government taken tho steps it had in regard to sugar this country would have been in a very bad way. In his iudgment che Government had also organised the country. The first thing was the passing of tho Military Service Act, and ever since there had been a process of organisation going on. The National Efficiency Board had been formed, and he felt certain that the board had done fiomething for the organise tion of the country. b Just before the House adjourned Mr Massey stated that he had been advised by his secretary that he (the secretary) had been mistaken in informing him that a written communication had been sent to Sir Joseph Ward's secretary. He had confused this deputation witn another one. When Mr Armstrong, of the Second Divi s:on League, called on him for the purpose of arranging an interview with the Prime M;n;ster, the Minister of Finance, and the Minister of Defence, it was agreed that a written invitation should be sent to each Minister by the league. The appointment was made by telephone, and he acquainted Sir Joseph Ward's secretary of the fact verbally. Mr Massey went on to state that since the session began he had been receiving a large number of deputations—sometimes two or three a day,—and in consequence his secretary had been overworked. "We made it a rule," continued the Prime Minister," that the people who intended to form a deputation Should always inform the other Ministers whom they wished to bo present. We decline to undertake the responsibility because it is invidious, and that' is why Mr Thomson told Mr Armstrong to inform the other Ministers.." Mr Massey said he regretted the position that had arisen, and regretted that Mr Forbes had not inform d him or his secretary of what was in his mind before speaking. Mr Witty interjected that, as the leaders of tho Cabinet were co-equal, they should both, as a right, be present at these deputations. Mr Massey said there had been a very unfair attempt to place him in a false position. Thero had been a great deal of wirepulling during tho last week or two, but ho was not going to touch on it. Mr Forbes stated that ho had been informed that Sir Joseph Ward knew nothing about the deputation. He had said it was a great pity that Sir Joseph Ward was not present, particularly as Mr Massey had been sitting alongside him, and then went away to meet the deputation.' Sir Joseph Ward had informed him (Mr Forbes) that he had. received no notice at all. Ho had not mentioned to Sir Joseph Ward that he was going to bring the matter up, but te thought it was his duty to do so. Mr Witty assured the Prime Minister that there was no wire pulling. All they wanted was fair play. Sir Joseph Ward was on a equal footing with Mr Massey, and should in consequence be with Mr Massey in receiving a deputation. Sir Josepn Ward said he was obliged to tho Prime Minister for the statement he had made, that there had been no reflection intended on him He (Sir Joseph) had had no knowledge, directly or indirectly that the member for Hurunui would refer to the matter in the House. He had not the remotest idea as to tho nature of the deputation, and he had no knowledge* of the fact that he was expected to be present. Subsequently a number of members of the deputation had the idea that he was not present because of public grounds. He would have bee a pleased to have been there. Tho Prime Minister's explanation had put the whole matter right, and showed that ho had no intention of ignoring him Mr Massey: Nothing was further from my mind. The Prime Minister added that three afternoons last week were given to an effort to settle a 6tr ;l -° in Wellington, and they were extrema jusy. He had not intended to recoive tho deputation on the day in question, but being informed that many of them were going away that evening and that they were disappointed at not meeting him. he had arranged the interview. His private secretary went to him at 4 o'clock, Mid asked him if he oould take the deputation then.