CABINET HARMONY.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 12068, 25 July 1917, Page 4

CABINET HARMONY.

MR FORBES ASKS POINTED QUESTIONS. "IS ALL WELL?" [From Orn Cokkespoxdext.] WELLINGTON. July 24. " I don't want to see the National Cabinet shipwrecked, ' was tho preliminary statement of Mr Forbes to very frank advice to tl.ie National Government leaders in the House to-day. He had, he said, used his influence to secure the creation of this Cabinet, and hoped to see it continue to the end of tho war, hut unless members were taken into the Government's confidence they would get at loggerheads. "It cannot be said," continued the member, that all the wisdom is possessed by tho National Cabinet. Members know the wants of their constituents, and it would be truly national legislation if members were first consulted." Sir Jamas Allen: How do you suggest we should get the opinion of members ? Mr Forbes replied that there should be a secret session to impart information and get members' view 6, so that when legislation was introduced it would not be at variance with the views of the House. "In a time like this," declared Mr Forbes it should be Parliament government, not only Cabinet government," (Hear, Hear.) DISUNION RUMOURS. Mr Forbes welcomed Sir John Findlay's appearance as a decided addition to the debating power of the House. Sir John had, ho said, referred to rumours of disunion and lack of cohesion among members of the Government. As a friend of the Government lie wished to deal candidly witn this report He would ask the Prime Minister : " Have you candidly interpreted the act of 'union in the spirit in which it was conceived ? The party to which I belong entered Cabinet on the understanding that they should be treated with every Consideration in connection with Cabinet's work, but in the most important matter of Second Division requestSj when o deputation interviewed the Prime Minister, I regret to notice that the Minister of Finance was not present. Sir Joseph Ward thus missed an opportunity of being appraised of the views of an - important class." Mr Wilford: The president of tlio Second Division League asked that Sir Joseph Ward should be present, and wrote to the Prexnier to that effect. Mr Massey explained that his secretary sent a note to Sir Joseph Ward's secretary regarding the deputation the night before it was held. He was only too pleased to havo Sir Joseph Ward or any other Minister with him to meet any deputation. Mr Forbes went on to say that a Liberal Minister, the Hon W. D. S. Mac Donald, had carried out tho butter levy system with consideration and efficiency, but- the speaker felt that the Prime Minister in his reply to the butter producers' had failed to properly support his Liberal colleague. Mr Massey: T take my share of responsibility. Mr Forbes went on to say that there was an ■understanding when the National Cabinet was formed that the cost of living would receive special attention. This being so. it would have been better had a Liberal Minister been allowed to administer the Board of Trade and similar activities. The Liberal Party had not been satisfied over this question. Mr Lee: There is no Liberal Party. Mr Forbes: There is a party whose representatives entered Cabinet. They should not be placed at a disadvantage. Mr Nosworthy: T see what you want. T think we had better havo a general election. Mr Forbes: I want to allay the rumour. which Sir John Findlay .says prevails in the country, to the effect that there is a lack of cohesion in the Cabinet- We want to allay these rumours so that people will not have the feeling that the Russian Army has, that all is not well at headquarters. MIMSTE'RIAL REJOINDER. Discussing tho criticism expressed by Mr Forbes, the Hon A. L. Herdman deprecated it as being more likely to provoke breaches than heal any that might have occurred. He. denied, howover, that there had been such differences as suggested. He had. been a member of the National Govrninent now for two years and ho was .satisfied that the Prime Minister had extended uniform courtesy to every member of the Cabinet. The Prime Minister and the Minister of Finance went away together over the sea smiling last year and came back together with smiling faces. Mr Payne: Why should they not? Mr Herdman: And I am satisfied that every member of Cabinet during their absence did his utmost and level best to carry out as a Cabinet Minister Mr Witty: For himself. Mr Herdman : No. I repeat -that such criticism is unfair. It is a master of surprise to me that a collection of incompatible elements, such as existed before the National Cabinet was constructed, could form a homogeneous whole and work together with the good spirit that has characterised their career since. Mr M'Callum: Did they become so homogeneous ? Mr Herdman: Certainly. (Laughter.) THE DEPUTATION INCIDENT. Before the House rose Mr Massey made a statement in reply to a remark by Mr Forbes during the efternoon. He said that the reason. why Sir Joseph Ward was not present at the deputation of the Seco2id Division which waited on the speaker was that his private secretary had confused the dates of two deputations from the game body. He deprecated the suggestion made that he. purposely left rfir Joseph Ward out of the deputation. Mr Forbes explained that he had been informed of the deputation from, the Second Division League and lie immediately saw Sir Joseph Ward, who said ho knew nothing of the matter. Sir Joseph Ward said he was glad of the opportunity tc- refer to the ma iter, as ho was afraid that an impression had got abroad that, he had been invited to the deputation and had retrained from attending. He had not been invited, but lie was quite sure that if the Prime Minister had known lie was expected to be there Mr Massey would have been very glad to have him there. Ho hoped tho matter now would diop. Mr Massey sai.l ho vas pleased to know that Sir Joseph Weird was satisfied that no discourtesy had been intended.