The Wanganui Herald. [PUBLISHED DAILY.] SATURDAY, APRIL 23, 1910. SOUTH AFRICA.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXXV, Issue 13054, 23 April 1910, Page 4

The Wanganui Herald. [PUBLISHED DAILY.] SATURDAY, APRIL 23, 1910. SOUTH AFRICA.

Whether in appealing for a non-party Ministry for United South Africa, Colonel Greene, the Natal 'Minister for Railways had in his mind the principle of the El ctive Ministry, we do not know. But his appeal, as reported by cable yesterday, ■ m--phasises the value of the principle, especially as applied to the present position m South Africa. There party intrigue, rarial feeling, and local jealousies are very strong at the present moment. It would be- too much to claim for the Elective Ministry that it will entirely abolish such ob jectionable factors. But that it would very considerably minimise them is. evidenced by Colonel Greene’s declaration that, if Genaral Botha will consent to the formation of a non-party Cabinet, Natal will loyally support him. The inference is plain that, if Botha won’t. Natal won’t. Botha h'mself will find his troubles commencing when he starts to choose his Ministry—presuming that he is sent for, as he probably will be. Himself a Trausvaaler, he cannot choose Transvaal colleagues, however able, without offending or disappointing someone from Orangia, Cape Colony, or Nata l . And if he choose too many colleagues from say Cape Colony, then, no matter how good they may be, Orangia, Transvaal, and Natal will complain that he. is passing them over. In addition he is sure to' cans- private and personal pique to many whom be will have to pass over, no matter Ikw strong they imagine their claims to be. With Ministers elected by the whole of the Parliament, each responsible for his «wn department alone, and not dependent for the safety of his portfolio on his colleagues’ ability to avoid mistakes, much of this would be obviated. The dominant ] arty v. ould of course have the strongest representation in the Ministry, but there could at least be no suggestion of personal favouritism, and the chances of the Ministry doing good work would be greatly increased. The South African State Parlia ments are to have Elective Ministries. It will ; be strange if, after experience of their working, the Union Parliament docs not adopt the principle too.