THE LATE MR SEDDON AND RECONSTRUCTION.

Otago Witness, Issue 2727, 20 June 1906, Page 33

THE LATE MR SEDDON AND RECONSTRUCTION.

THE COMING SESSION. ADJOURNMENT TILL THE MIDDLE OF AUGUST POSSIBLE.

(Fftou Otm Omr Cobrzspondent.) WELLINGTON. June 18.

The political situation continues to be a topio of engrossing attention, and it certainly is intensely interesting. The arrival of a considerable number of members of Parliament in Wellington to attend the funeral of the Premier adds to the interest.

I have .had talks with several membrts of the Government party, and I find there is still great diversity of ooinion as to what should be done. Some are in favour of going straight on with the work of <,ho country. Others are as utterly opposed to suoh a course, and say that there must be an adjournment till after Sir Joseph Ward's retuco. This po, doubt is th« logical conclusion if Sir Joseph Ward is to be allowed to form the new Ministry. On the other hand, Mr Hall-Jones has had urgent representations sent to him from all parts of the colony that he and not Sir Joseph Ward should teke up the reins of Government. One thing urged in many quarters against Sir Joseph Ward is the religious views he holds. If is very sad to have to state that this is so, but it is nevertheless a fact. For my own part, though representing newspapers in opposition to the political party to which Sir Joseph Ward be'ongs, I feel sure that his administration would net be in the slightest decree influenced in any way by his religion. So far as I have seen, he has never discriminated in favour of his coreligionists.

There is a certain air of unnecessary mystery about what is to bo done when Parliament meets. Notwithstanding the representations being made to Mr HallJones to assume the leadership, I feel fairly certain that ho will resign in favour of Sir Joseph Ward. In this evont Parliament would !>e opened on tho Wednesday by Commission, members sworn in, and the new Speaker appointed. Resolutions regarding tho death of the Premier would subsequently be proposed, Supply granted for two months, and an adjournment made till the middle of August. I feel almost certain that this will be tho course pursued.. If such a course is not pursued, there will assuredly be trouble in the Government ranks. Three leading followers of the Government to whom I have spoken are very determined on the point, and no doubt they will have a considerable following. I saw Mr Masse--" the leader of the Opposition, to-night, on his arrival from Auckland, and asked him his opinion, but he 6aid he had no opinion to express. It was entirely a matter for those in charge of the government of the colony. The other point that is being most warmly discussed is the question of reconstruction. On this point I received tonight some exceedingly interesting information. It will perhaps be remembered that at a caucus of the party early last cession tho question of reconstruction was discussed. I learn that it was not only discussed, but very warmly discussed. Mr J. A. Millar and Mr Roderick M'Kenzie, who were among the more independent men in the Ministerial ranks, bearded the lion in his den on this very vexed,, question of reconstruction, and for some two hours the Premier fought the caucus against it. He said he was the best judge of the men who were most fitted from their loyalty to him to assist him in carrying out his policy. The incompetence of certain Ministers wa9, on the other hand, urged by the men with backbone. Eventually the matter was put to the vote. A 6how of hands was taken, and the Premier carried his point, but only by four votes. It was a close go. Mr Seddon had, however, asked his followers to let him go through that session with his present team, and at the beginning of the next Parliament they could reconsider the question. If they were still dissatisfied with the Ministry — well, his colleagues had heard the discussion that had taken place, and they would no doubt do the i right thing. Mr Seddon, as we all know, | weathered that storm, and came back with a bigger majority than ever. The malcontents, however, it appears, did not let the matter drop, and subsequently several of them wrote to him urging more strongly than ever tho need for reconstruction. He replied that he had given the matter his serious consideration, and he felt 6ure they would be satisfied w~hen the Parliament met. What he meant to do probably no '

one knows. In view of the present tension these facts, upon which you can absolutely rely, make interesting reading. Tho general opinion is that Parliament will adjourn -till the middle of August, that Sir Joseph Ward will arrive about the end of the month, and that ho should be given at least a week or 10 days to form his Cabinet and get ready the work for the session. Under such circumstances the session 6hould bo a short one. The majority of the members of the party are a!*o of opinion that if Sir Joseph Ward forms a really strong Ministry he may remain in power for some time. One other interesting point i« being discussed — the formation of an Independent Labour party. Mr Arnold's remarks have been noted, and noted with a certain amount of alarm, even by a large number of the Government following. One member to whom I spoke this evening was very emphatic that a party on such lines as Mr Arnold foreshadows would not be tolerated, and that if the Government countenanced it some 12 or 15 members of the party would at once form a coalition with the other side. At the same time this member, a staunch Ministerialist, admitted that such a party could make itself felt in the present Parliament under the altered conditions. Undoubtedly New Zealand politics are going to bo much more interesting during the next few years than for a very long time past.

THE PREMIER IN POSSE.

j Sir Joseph Ward, who, it is agreed on ' all hands, is to be the coming Premier, is so well known to New Zealanders as almost to require no biographical sketch. He is almost wholly a Now Zealander, for he came here from his birthplace (Victoria) with his parents when he was quite a child. They settled in the Awarua, district, and there the young man early eot about making his living. After receiving an elementary education he entered the Postal Department as a messenger when he was 13 years old, but he soon resigned to take a plaoe in a merchant's office. He discovered, however, that he had not yet found his forte, and tried another experiment— a berth in the Railway Department. That was in 1876. He was 20 yeare old, but he was not yet satisfied that he had rightly chosen his vocation. A year later he set himself up in business in the grain trade, made rapid progress, and soon blossomed into a large exporter. Striking success led him to push his business beyond New Zealand, and he eetabh'shed agencies throughout Australia. In the meantime the young man was interesting himself in public affairs. He was 21 years of age when he was elected a member of the Campbell town Borough Council. Afterwards he occupied the position of Mayor of that borough for five years. For many years he was a member of th& Bluff Harbour Board, and was chairman during four years of his term of office. He was also a member of the Invereargill Chamber of Commerce. He first entered Parliament as member for Awarua in 1887. In 1890 he was elected unopposed, and when the late Mr Ballance came into power with the return of the Liberals Sir Joseph accepted the office of Postmaster-general. It will thus be seen that he had 6erved only three years in Parliament when he rose to the position of Cabinet Minister. Consequent on the death of Mr Ballance in 1893 he became also Colonial Treasurer, but two years later, owing to private affairs, relinquished his portfolio on the 15th July, 1897. At the time of his bankruptcy he tendered his resignation from the House of Representatives. Then he at once stood for his old scat again, was re-elected, and resumed his place in the House on the 28th September, 1897. In 1899 Sir Joseph again took his place in the Ministry as Minister of Railways, Postmaster-general, and Colonial Secretary. To these offices have siiico been added those of Minister of Public Health, Minister of Trade and Commerce, and Minister in charge of the Tourist Department. All these departments owe their existence to the Minister who now administers them. On three occasions Sir Joseph has held the positon of ActingPremier. In 1902, during the absence of the Premier in England, he discharged the heavy duties devolving on him as leader of the House with ability. On the visit of H.R.H. the Duke of "fcork the honour of knighthood was conferred on Sir Joseph Ward. Among the more important acts with which his name is associated may be mentioned the advances to settlers scheme, in connection with which he visited England and floated a loan of £1,500,000 at the rate of 3 per cent., the inauguration of the penny post, the completion of the " All Red " Pacific cable, the classification of his two most important departments (the Post and Telegraph and Railway Departments), the passage of the Railway Superannuation Act, and others. In his private life Sir Joseph in his younger days won fame as an athlete, being a prominent oarsman and cricketer, as well as an enthusiastic Volunteer, in which capacity he still retains | the position of hon. captain of the Bluff Xavals, the Bluff Guards, and the Winton Rifles. Sir Joseph is popular among men of all shades of political opinion in tho House, where he is known as a keen, powerful, and fluent debater.

THE TEMPORARY MINISTRY. WELLINGTON, Juno 14. The New Zealand Times this morning «ays that when Parliament opens on June 27 the Government will be headed by Mr Hall-Jones as Premier and Colonial Treasurer, the latter office being of more pressing urgency, since it is impossible for Parliament to pa«s supplies unless a Colonial Treasurer has been duly appointed. Imprest Supply having been obtained, there will probably be an adjournment for several weeks, pending Sir Joseph Ward's return. " When the Government again resigns and reconstructs, as far as is considered necessary under his Premiership, it is anticipated," says the Times, '" that reconstruction will be accomplished by the appointing of one or two additional Ministers, all the present members retaining their positions on the Executive. Parliament is not expected to reassemble until the second week in August, and the session will be a short one." It was understood yesterday that Captain Seddon, eldest son of the late Premier, would not contest the Westland seat, but this now seems to be by no means oertain. In the event of his declining- to stand, a strong endeavour will be made, as stated yesterday, to induce Mr T. Y. Seddon, second eldest son of the late Premier, to come out. There is little doubt that either nomination would receive whole-hearted support on the Coast. HOKITIKA, June 14. In an interview with a representative of

the Hokitika Guardian Mr J. A. M-urdoeh (Mayor of Kumara) emphatically denied the statement made that he was likely to contest the Westland constituency with Mr H. L. Michel (Mayor of Hokitika). He asserted that no one had the slightest authority to circulate such a statement. Mr Murdoch thinks it most premature to discuss the subject. When the proper time arrives he will give his support to a suggestion made that a member of the late Premier's family should be offered the seat.

THE LABOUR PARTY.

A prominent Labour leader to-day stated that any Ministry formed by Sir Joseph Ward would not last long. On the other hand, other Labour men say that Tl Sir Joseph gives the Labour party a fair show it will support him. We do not, however, he added, view Sir Joseph Ward in the same light as we viewed Mr Seddon; but if he plays the game fairly and squarely there is no reason why he should not successfully hold office

The statement that Mr Kidtl is likely to bo included in the Ministry is not regarded at all seriously here.

THE WESTLAND SEAT.

I am told to-day that neither Captain Seddon nor Mr Tom Seddon is likely to 6tand fop their late father's; constituency. This is perhaps only natural, as in the event of Captain Seddon's entering Parliament he would have toj give up his position in the Defence Department; while Mr Tom Seddon, by entering Parliament at present, would probably- sacrifice his career as a barrister and solicitor.

SIR J. G. WARD'S RETURN.

WELLINGTON, June 18.

Sir Joseph "Ward, who is to leave London nopct Wednesday week, 27th inst., will reach Auckland, via San Francisco, on July 30, and be in Wellington on the following evening.