The Star. WEDNESDAY, APRIL 27, 1904. FEDERAL POLITICS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 7996, 27 April 1904, Page 2

The Star. WEDNESDAY, APRIL 27, 1904. FEDERAL POLITICS.

! Mr Watson has formed hi* Cabinet. It [ consists of nine recognieedi Labour members and one outsider, who is, nevertheless, a steady supporter of labour. Neither Mr Kingston nor Mr Trenwith, the most prominent outsiders with leanings towards th© la;bour party are included! in the list. The farmer may have been invited, in which event he declined owing to ill-health, while Mr Trenwith's long-standing rupture with tlje Trades Hall barred his inclusion. It is understood that when Mr Watson meets Par- > liament to-day he will ask for an adjournment for three weeks, for the purpose of formulating a programme. No doubt his request will be granted. It is customary to allow a newly-formed Ministry considerable latitude in. this direction, and when a new .Cabinet is composed, as Mr Watson's is 2 of- absolutely untried material, it is not only constitutional but reasonable that it should be given au opportunity of "finding its legs." So far the path of the Labour Party has been fairly | smooth. Victory has borne its natural fruit, of which the party is now left in at least temporary enjoyment. Moreover, the gods seem to be fighting in its favour. Its chief danger, as we have pointed out "before, lies in a coalition between the. Deakin and the Reid Parties ; indeed, from such a coalition it would be pretty certain to meet defeat. But Mr Deakin and Mr Reid, instead of arranging an alliance, are quarrelling over the question of the former's right to occupy the Opposition benches. Doubtless this point will be settled in time, and doubtless, also, a Dea&in-Reid coalition will be arranged, ibut in. the meanwhile Mr Watson will be left in undisputed possession of the Government benches. And if Parliamentary history is a trustworthy guide, it follows that the longer the present Premier is allowed to remain in power the harder will become the task of shitting him. History abounds with, instances of Cabinets which, after maintaining a precarious existence during the early part of their careers, established their positions and enjoyed lengthy lives. From this we do not mean to infer that Mr Watson's Ministry will have a lengthy career. On the contrary, we are bound to admit that indications point to exactly the opposite conclusion. At the same time, there is a chance that history may repeat itaelf, and that the weakly, child may develop strength with age. To a certain extent the future of the Watson Government lies in the hands of the Government itself. If it proves itself worthy of the ! : occasion it may gain considerable support^ from outside the ranks of its own party. *■ And to prove itself worthy it will need to convince the world that its aim is the welfare of the country, and not the exalta-. tion of the party which has placed it in power.