POLITICAL.

Waikato Times, Issue 12178, 13 September 1911, Page 5

POLITICAL.

SIR JOSEPH WARD'S BUDGET.

SYDNEY HERALD COMMENTS

FINANCIAL POSITION INPREGNABLE.

(Per Press Association.—Copyright).

(Received Sept. 12, 9.15 a.m.) SYDNEY, Sept. 11. The Herald says that Sir J. G. Ward's budget once again recalls the astonishingly sound and prosperous condition of affairs in New Zealand. Not only is the financial position of the country impregnable, but it becomes stranger every year. Sir Joseph Ward might, well claim his case as unique. The area of academic legislation seems to have passed and the administration of late has thrown, itself more into the actual work of developing the assets exf the State. A really grave feature' is the disappearance of Crown Land. The problem 'of finding land for the people will become practically insoluble.

MR. FOWLDS EXPLAINS.

INTERVIEWED IN AUCKLAND

THE NEW EVANGEL

(Per Press Association.)

AUCKLAND, Tuesday. ...Mr Fovvlds, on his arrival from Wellington, was asked if he thought his withdrawal from the Government meant the emergence of a new party. The ex-Minister replied that he hoped that would not be necessary. He would like to see the organisation of the Liberal party on' a more democratic basis. They could not brush aside the traditions and achievements of the Liberal party in New Zealand without great and lasting loss to the people of this country, but the party could not live on traditions and name labels alone. There was a danger of the party, after long years of prosperity and dominance, losing sight of its fundaimantal principles. The adhesion of people attracted by Hope of gain instead of principles had a par&Usdng effect on the party. Parties miight adhere to names while they entirely reversed their principles. Mr Massey and the Opposition were advocating one or two progressive reforms, and under a new leader might easily step in and leave the Liberal party side tracked. What was wanted was to get back to the fundamental principles formulated by Sir George Grey and Mr Jofhn Reliance, the founders of the ; Lilleral party, which were capable of almost indefinite extension and would solve many of our pressing social problems. Soma of his enemies had been dangling the old bodies of single tax and free-trade. The new evangel which the Liberal party needed did not necessarily include either single tax or free-trade, as many people understood these names, but did necessarily include increased land values, taxation and a further remission of duties on the necessaries of life.

AN OUTCAST MINISTER.

'FAR AWAY WOULD I ROVE."

(Per Press Association)

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 of the Taieri seat appeared to him to he so absurd that, he could hardly believe but that the Commissioners will put it right. Should this be done, or even largely restored, he was free to stand for that seat. If, however, nothing was done in the direction indicated he was at liberty to stand for any country scat in New Zealand that might wish his services. He was naturally desirous of continuing the work of the Department with which he is associated. He could see that with the intelligent, scientific forward movement in agriculture there is a prospect of doing much ,sJo (> d for this community. The two tanid a half years he hart been Minister had been a period of preparation for a greater effort, "I naturally wish," added tba Minister, "to represent a .'arming community and hope that such may be available lor 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 he has no announcement to make at present regarding the filling of the position formerly occupied by the Hon. George Fowlds. Though a good deal of rumor is current as tfo 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 his intentions which has a better foundation than the many statements in circulation was provided when the Education Department's report was presented to Parliament on Friday afternoon, this formality being done in the name'of the Hen. T McKemzie.

'LOBBY GOSSIP

WELLINGTON, Monday. Rumors are current in the Lobbies of recent' happenings in Cabinet, which it} is| said, at one time threatened to become serious. The story ejoes, that strong complaint was made against a Minister who controls an important Department in which the public is closely concerned, for dealing with the affairs of his Department on too Personal a basis—dn other words that he did not take sufficient notice of the views of expert heads, but, going beyond them, acted on his own initiative in a way which the neads considered was not conducive to the best interests of the service. It is understood 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 be that, according to rumor, he threatened to secede from the Cabinet, and, from what has leaked out concerning this lvlinisj terial qfuarrel, such a serious step i was oT'Crtpd with difficulty. Happily, harmony was eventully restored among the navigation officers of cur ship of State. In the last three years death or retirement has been responsible for the creation of no less than eight \ ac--1 ancles in the Legislative Council. Of these, the Hons. H. Scotland. R. i J, H. Reeves, F. Trask, W. C. Smith, H. Feldwick, and J. Holmes

have passed away, > find Messrs T. Kennedy Mac Donald and Mahuta have retired. No appointments have up to the present been made to fill the vacancies, hut 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. L&wry, C. Hall, and A. Dillon.

THE WANGANUI SEAT.

(Per Press Association.)

WANGANUI, Tuesday

Mr Hogan announces that he will contest the Wanganui seat against all comers.