Ministers and Directorships.

Opunake Times, Volume VII, Issue 328, 29 October 1897, Page 2

Ministers and Directorships.

Wellivoton, October 27

There was at the Liberal caucus yesterday an interesting debate on the question of Ministerial connection with companies or syndicates. The Premier opened up the subject by saying that he had heard a good deal regarding the contemplated action of the Opposition in relation to the position he held as a member of the Anglo Continental syndicate, and he was anxious to get the views of tbe party as to it. The position was this: It would be hard upon him to ask him to sacrifice all his private business connections because he happened to be a member of the Ministry, but he had a higher view than that of the conduct due to his position. He had to regard the welfare and future of the Liberal Party, and if he were asked to relinquish his position as adviser to that company in the interests of the party, he was prepared to do it, but was it fair to ask him to renounce all private business connections, and when in the course of time he lost his position of Minister to have no business to go to ? It ought to be remembered that as Premier he might go out of office any day. That was the inevitable fate of any Premier, and what then would be his position ? Having relinquished all his business connections he would be forced to begin life again. However, he placed himself in the hands of his party, and wished to know if there were members of his party who objected to his position and who they were. Mr Smith spoke very strongly against the Premier holding a position in the syndicate. He carefully pointed out that this was not a question of Liberal policy or administration, but was one of remuneration of the Premier. Mr Montgomery spoke to the same effect. The Premier said the poution had come to this. He was to be assailed in the on this question by the Opposition, and he wanted to know if Mr Montgomery would vote against the Government if it came to a motion of no-confidence. Mr Montgomery said he would vote against the Government on this question. The Minister of Lands said he was in a different position to the Premier, as he had his farm to go back to, but if ho were asked to renounce his private business connection because he happened to hold the position of a Minister he would resign bis fortfolio in a moment. Ho denied that the interests of the colony were in any way prejudiced by his being associated with private companies. The Hon. Mr Cadman said also if his choice was to bo between private business and the Cabinet he would resign his portfolio. Mr Pirani contended that members of the Cabinet were quite wrong in holding such positions, which they never would have obtained had they not been Ministers of the Crown. Regarding the Hon. Mr McKenzio, he pointed out in connection with the position he held on a particular company that the freights competition and the question of subsidising a shipping company already brought that position in conllict with his position a.s a Minister. Messrs Tanner, Hogg, R. Thompson, O'Regan, and Steward said that, while they did not think it proper for Ministers to hold positions such as that held by the Premier, they would not on a question of no-confi-dence vote so that the Opposition would walkover to the Ministerial benches. Mr R. McKenzie said he was in the same position as the Hon. Mr Seddon, and held his views. Mr Pirani said that Mr McKenzie was in a worse position that Mr Seddon, for he was a servant of a body of which the Premier was a director. Mr McKenzie said he was not in the employ of the company but one of its advisers. He suggested that a vote should be taken to gauge the feeling of the party on the question of Ministers holding positions in companies, but the Premier thought this inadvisable, and it was re-'olved to let the matter be decided freely by the votes of members when it came up in the House. Lobby gossip asserts that i£ Mr Taylor or Mr Smith moves a resolution condemning the Premier's connection with the mining syndicate it will bo carried, as five members of the Liberal party who disapprove of that connection would be bound to support the motion, seeing that its adoption would not result in tho Opposition being called on to form a Ministry. Thelasthas not been heard of this question. Mr Fisher has written to Mr Mills, senior Government whip, stating that he will attend no more caucus meetings of the Liberal party to which Messrs Smith, Taylor, Pirani. aud Montgomery may be invited. Mr Fisher has several sympathisers, and his action shows that tho breach in the Liberal party that was apparent at the caucus is by no means healed.—Wangauui Herald.