COMMONWEALTH CABINET.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 12070, 27 July 1917, Page 4

COMMONWEALTH CABINET.

DOMINATED BY MR HUGHES. DICTATORIAL ATTITUDE TO COLLEAGUES. The tendency of the Prime Mmista! of Australia (says the " Age ") to masj nify the importance of his own post tion as compared -with the powers of his colleagues in the Cabinet seems likely to effect the smooth working: of the Governmental machine. It has always been recognised that Mr Hughes was the moving force in past Labour administrations. Though nominally second in command, in reality he wai leader, for his voice and will were never thwarted. His decisions on most mat-tors were final. If he did not get his way there was trouble in the caucus, as well as in the Cabinet. 'Since the formation of the Coalition Government, and more particularly since the elections, Mr Hughes has never neglected to assert himself and to hold, with a firm grasp, the reins of leader' ship. His ovc-rbearintr attitude, however, is resented by Ministers, especi-. ally by those of the Liberal wing. Or tho surface everything appears tran-iir-l in the Cabinet, but there is an undercurrent of discontent whjch sooner or later must manifest itself.

At question time recently Mr Hughes affected some annoyance at the manner of questions directed towards himself and other Ministers. Ho told the. H&'use that tho Government} did not propose to answer questions unless they were of an urgent character. Members, unheeding the intima. tion. however, pressed their interrogations. Whether the attitude of the Prime Minister was defensible ox otherwise, his manner towards hiscplleagues was considered to be dictatorial. As the questions were submitted, he would turn to the Minister to whom the question was directed, and saw "Don't answer that,' or "Yes. answer that." Some of them obeved the curt instruction. Mr Glynn Minister for Home and lerntories,' was interrogated regarding the prospects of securing oil in payable quantities in Papua. He was prepared to give a reply, but the Prime Minister waved him to his seat. •Wain, when the leader of the Opposition sprang a surprise on the Government by refraining from speaking on tho motion for the adoption of the ,Vddress-in-Reply, Mr Hughes elected to act without consulting his colleague*. Both Sir John Forrest *nd Mr Cook approached him, npparentlv with suctions, but he disregarded tbpm altogether, and ad.iou.rned the Ho k The affront to Ministers was S obvious as the manner in which they received it. ________