THE POLITICAL SITUATION

Otago Witness, Issue 2700, 13 December 1905, Page 32

THE POLITICAL SITUATION

DEMAND FOR RECONSTRUCTION. (From Otm, Own Correspondent.) AUCKLAND, December 11. To-night's Star says:— "Now that the turmoil of the general election is over, and the country is settling down into comparative calm, we teel compelled to recur to a subject which has necessarily been postponed to public business of more pressing urgency. We emphatically endorse the view expressed by the New Zealand Times that the reconstruction of the Ministry has been too long delayed: While the election campaign was in progress it was tha duty of all true friends of Liberalism to stand as a united body against the Opposition, and to give their whole-hearted support to Mr Seddon, but now that the crisis is over and the Premier returns to Parliament with an overwhelming majority it is highly advisable that he should turn his attention at once to the task of reconstruction. As the New Zealand Times remarks, the fact that the pariy is now so large is in itself a menace to unity, and the dissatisfaction that already exists with, the present constitution of the. Cabinet might well begin the process of disintegration from within. It is, of course, a difficult; and unpleasant task for the Premier to face, but the necessity for it is manifest, and the sooner he sets about it in earnest the better for the Liberal party and for the country. We need not employ elaborate arguments to impress upon our readerg the painfully obvious fact that the North. Island is inadequatel}' represented in the Cabinet. Auckland especially needs more direct and more effective representation in the ranks of the Ministry ; but, as a whole, the Ministry is distinctly South Island, more especially as the only Ministers who have done their work energetically or successfully hail from the South. As we have frequently pointed out, the comparative neglect from which the North Island in general, and Auckland in particular, fe.has suffered in the past has been due, not to the Duroose or intention of the Government, but to the political preponderance of the South Island in Parliament— not only have the South Island members, generally speaking, voted 'solid' for southern interests, but the political weight and influence of Mr Seddon and Sir Joseph Ward and Mr Hall-Jones have naturally tended to some extent in the same direction. This is the chief reason for increasing the representation of the North Island, especially of Auckland, on a reconstructed Cabinet. Bufc the need for a redistribution of portfolios is patent enough to the whole colony, quite apart from local interests or local prejudices. It would bo an insult to the intelligence o£ the Liberal party to assert that it cannot' supply half a dozen men able to discharge Ministerial duties far more capably than two or three minor members of the present Cabinet. The i-esponsibility of unseating his weaker colleagues and replacing them by competent successors would naturally rest with Mr Seddon. If he does not care to accept it. some such scheme of parly election as that suggested by the New Zealand Times might be carried into effect. But whatever the process is to be the Premier cannot afford to hesitate long. It isimperatively necessary that the Cabinet' should be reconstructed, and that in thet new Ministry more adequate and effective representation should be given to the claims of the North Island, and more especially Auckland." WELLINGTON. December 11. Mr Soddon's time baa been a e;ood doal occupied during the past few days in replying to the- numerous telegrams that have been showering in upon him from New Zealand. Australia, and the Mother Country. From England he has received quite a number of cablegrams, including one from Lord Onslow, formerly Governor of the colony. There is a decided majority in the new House in favour of the freehold. The New Zealand Times thinks the new House, on a division, would grant the freehold ontion to Crown tenants by a majority of 22. A majoviW of the Government supporters are freeholders. The Times adds: — "It, worthy of note that nearly all the leaseholders represent town constituencies of electorates comprising & majority o£ fcown

Jtvorkers. The country districts, where the people are settlers, or hope to become so, and who know the conditions most desirable, have voted solid for the freehold option."