The Wanganui chroncile. SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 1935. MR. DOWNIE STEWART’S POSITION.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 228, 28 September 1935, Page 8

The Wanganui chroncile. SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 1935. MR. DOWNIE STEWART’S POSITION.

QWING tu a sequence of events wherein his advice was nut accepted by the Government, the Hon. AV. Downie Stewart found himself in a situation which compelled his resignation from the Cabinet. Having taken such a step, AH'. Stew alts situation was by no means an enviable one. He could neither support nor endorse the Government in a line of conduct of cvliieh he fundamentally disapproved, nevertheless, he •uviously had no desire to play the part of obstructionist. To maintain his own stand in the matter of principle, and yet to avoid coming into conflict with the Government in such a "way as to make it appear that he was actuated by other than a desire to be helpful, has been truly a matter of great,difficulty to the ex-Minister. His prestige has neither been enlarged nor contracted during the period he has been in isolation, and he goes forward to-day fully conscious of the difficulties which beset, him. He believes that his greatest usefulness can be achieved by offering himself as an Independent National candidate and, in making this decision, he lias undoubtedly been prompted by a desire to co-operate in so far as he is able, with his former colleagues.

It may well be asked, however, what will be the influence of Air. Stewart in his role of independent Government supporter.’ On the face of things, it would appear that such influence will be less in the future than it has been in the past. As Alinistcr of Uinanee. Air. Stewart found himself unable to influence the Government in that sphere in which he is acknowledged to be an authority-—namely, public finance: it is inconceivable, therefore, that in the impotent position of a private member, his criticism will be noticed. His plea therefore, that the Government should be mended, is likely to fall on deaf ears. This does not mean, however, that there is no validity in his criticism of the present Government. The Prime Minister is by no means a “prime” or first minister. For reasons best known to himself, he has permitted himself, to be entirely eclipsed. The active agent in the Cabinet itself to-day is Air. Coates, and it would appear that several Ministers have been selected because they will offer little resistance to the policy which the inner circle of the Cabinet formulates. Air. Stewart is right in saying that the present is an unsatisfactory situation, insofar as the constitution of the Cabinet is concerned. The Cabinet wants strengthening and made less of a “one-man” show. Whether it would be desirable to reconstruct the Cabinet just prior to a General Election may be doubted, but certain it is that at present, constituted, Cabinet reconstruction is called for. Should the present Government successfully negotiate the forthcoming General Election, Cabinet Alinisters will be able to claim an endorsement for their policy. On the other hand, if the Government, is overthrown at the next election, reconstruction will .not be necessary. Of what influence then Inis an Independent member of Parliament to bring about the desired Cabinet reconstruction'! When the proposition is analysed, il will be seen tliat the political individualist has no such influence, neither to-day, nor is be likely to have any in the future. There is a fairly large crop of independent candidates offering, but these are likely to be ineffective as single units, and they must, consider not only their independence of expression but also whether they will lie sufficiently effective to influence the policy of the. Government. There is reason for believing that the member of Parliament who is free from party associations is as politically ineffectual as he is independent. With all deference to the long experience and capability of Mr. Stewart, if may be doubted whether the. position which he lias taken up will be one of influence, although il must be confessed that the trend of events has been such that, his present, position is logically the only one which lie could occupy.