THE POLITICAL SITUATION.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume LV, Issue 8612, 21 November 1906, Page 5

THE POLITICAL SITUATION.

Colonel Pitt's Successor.

Who Will He Be ?

The death of the Hon. A. Pitt has left vacant three important portfolios—those of Minister of Defence, Colonial Secretary and Attorney-General. There is now much speculation as to what reconstruction is likely to take place. Hon. R. McNab seems fairly well qualified to occupy such a position as that of Attorney-General, being a lawyer, and possessing the degrees of Bachelor of Laws and Master of Arts. He might also display the requisite fitness for the position of Minister of Defence, having had some experience of volunteering. But he already has the responsibility of leader of the Land Bill campaign, and he can hardly successfully undertake a further increase of responsibility. It is, moreover, 4 mprobable that his present offices will be re-arranged. Sir Joseph Ward has to face the problem of filling the vacancy of leader in the Legislative Council. The late Minister was without a right-hand man in this office, although the services of the Hons. T. Kelly and W. C. F. Carncross were sometimes relied upon. In some quarters it is contended that the two last-mentioned gentlemen have a claim for consideration, though there are certain misgivings as to their absolute "ability to successfully fill the position. Hon. T. Kennedy Macdonald and Mr G. Laurenson, M.H.R. for Lyttelton, have been mentioned as likely successors. When it was announced that the Government pro posed appointing two more members to the Executive, under the Legislative Officers Salaries Bill, these two gentlemen were looked on as likely candidates. Hons. H. F. Wigram, T. Kelly, and Carncross are spoken of as likely claimants for the AttorneyGeneralship, though it is doubtful whether the Government will choose a Legislative Councillor. Dr Findlay's name has been favourably mentioned. It has been suggested that the Speaker of the House of Representatives would fill the bill admirably, but the Government would be placed in a possibly greater dilemma in having to look for a suitable man for the vacancy thus caused. The question of the allotment of the portfolios, it is understood, has not yet been considered by Cabinet.