AN OUTCAST MINISTER.

Waikato Times, Issue 12177, 12 September 1911, Page 5

AN OUTCAST MINISTER.

'FAR AWAY WOULD I ROVE." (Pw Pr«ai Anociation). WELLINGTON, Tuesday. Speaking to a Post reporter today in reference to the seat he was likely to contest at the coming elections, the Hon. T. Mackenzie said that the position was that the alterations 0 f the Taieri seat appeared to him to be so absurd that, he could hardly believe but that the Commissioners will put it right.. Should this b9 done, or even largely restored, be was free to stand for that seat. If, however, nothing was done in the direction indicated be was at liberty to stand for any country seat" in New Zealand that might wish his services. He was naturally desirous of continuing the work of the Department with which be is associated. He could see that with tha intelligent, scientific forward movement in agriculture- there is a prospect of doing much gioi'd for this community. The two iand a halt' velars he bad been Minister had been .a period of preparation for a greater effort, "I naturally wish," -added the Minister, "to represent a farming community and hope that such may be available for me at the next election."

THE VACANT CHAIR. WHO WILL FILL IT ? PREMIER HAS NO ANNOUNCEMENT. WELLINGTON, Monday. The Prime Minister (Sir Joseph Ward) states that be has no announcement to make at present re yarding the filling of the position formerly occupied by the Hon. George Fowlds. Though a good deal of rumor is current as Ho the probable appointment of one or even two of /the Ministers, Sir Joseph Ward's intentions are being kept a close secret. The only hint of hi.intentions which has a better foundation than the many statements in circulation was provided when the Education Department's rep. rt was presented to Parliament on Friday afternoon, this formalit\

being don? in 'the name of Hon. T. McKcaazie. 'LOBBY GOSSIP. WELLINGTON, Monday. Rumiii'o art e.irrer.t i : i the Lobhie.: j if recent' happenings in Cabinet, which ; it; LI said, at one lime threatened to Income -.■;. Thr ! story gioes, that strong com;-lain: was made against a Minister who ! controls an important Department !in which the paMic is cl •s:ly cor.j cerned, for dealing with the affairs ! lof 'his Department- on too personal a basis—-dn other woro.s thr.: he did not take sufficient notice of rhe views of expert heads, but, gning beyond them, acted on his own initiative in a way which the nea*ls considered was not conducive to th? | l»est interests of the service. It is j underst od that the Minister in |

question indignantly resented the suggestion that he did not know as much as the heads whom he ministerially controls, and at one time so wrath was toe that, according to rumor, he threatened to secede from the Cabinet, and, from what has leaked out concerning this ivlinisj terial quarrel, such a serio-w step j was averted with difficulty. . Happily, harmony was event nil y restored among the navigation officers of our ship of State. In the last three years de-th or retirement has been responsible for the | creation of no less than eight vacancies in the Legislative Council. Of these, the Horns. H. Scotland. R. J. H. Reeves, F. Trask, W. C. Smith, H. Fel'dwick, and J. Holmes

have passed away, ' and Messrs T. Kennedy Mac Donald and Mahuta have retired. No appointments have up to tbe present 'been made to fill the vacancies, but to-day it is understood, >onf good authority, that seats in the Upper House have been offered to the following gentlemen, who are retiring from the House of Representatives at the end of the session : Sir 'William Steward. Messrs F. Lawry, C. Hall, and A. Dillon. ' THE WANGAN'UI SEAT. (Per Fr*sp Awwoiation.) WANGANUI, Tuesday. Mr Ho-an .:nr. ( unces that he wi'-l again contest the Wanganud seat against all comers.