THE GAME OF POLITICS.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16142, 21 February 1918, Page 8

THE GAME OF POLITICS.

1 HOW IT IS PLAYED IN AUSTRALIA. (snoir OTTO OWN CORRESPONDENT.) SYDNEY, February 13. In spite of war conditions, the demands of public decency and the cutspoken disgust of a nauseated people, .-the great game of politics continues to be played with enthusiasm, in both the State and Federal arenas. There are seven Parliaments in this country, each complete from Sergeant-at-Armß to titled Governor, so perhape it is not I to be wondered at that there is alwayß "something doing." The barony conferred on Sir John Forrest was not altogether an honour undeserved. The big Westerner's exploration work alone entitled him to the gratitude of the Empiro, while bis political services, particularly in West Australia, have been of incalculable value. He has not done so much in the Federal Souse, but it was known bo ardently desired to be Prime Minister of Australia, and that what he wanted he usually got. The Federal political situation for some time past has been most unstable, and the steady push of John Forrest's loyal friends could always be felt. When it was announced that Mr Hughes is to go almost immediately to London, everyone asked,- How lone will he remain Prime Minister, with John Forrest at work in Melbourne? The barony is the answer. Lord Forrest will never be Prime Minister, of rabidly democratic Australia. Sir William Irvine, Mr (Took, and Mr Watt aro left to hunger for the Prime Ministership, with Mr Watt as the only real possibility. There- is a great pro-Watt intrigue moving now, led by Mr Holman, Premier of New South Wales, and it will presently be seen in the open. There has been a Cabinet crisis in New South Wales. The State has committed itself to spend some millions on great wheat silos, and one of the biggest contracts went to one Teasdale Smith, a great contractor from West Australia. Cabinet approved of the contract, but it was subsequently learned that the document signed,. or abput to be signed, did not contain certain clauses that Cabinat had approved of. Now, Mr Teasdale Smith is intimately associated in business with Mr H. D. Macintosh, proprietor of the "Sundav Times" and .the Tivoli Theatre, and Sir Mackintosh is the bosom companion of Ttfr Holman, and Mr Holman had charge of the contracts. These facts may ('have meant nothing, but they resulted in Mr Beeby, strongly supported by certain other Ministers, refusing to attend Cabinet meetings and, apparently, threatening to resign. Yesterday, after protracted Cabinet meetings, Mr Holman smilingly said the trouble was all over, that it was duo entirely to a misunderstanding, and that a new contract carrying all the clauses required s. by Cabinet had been agreed to and 6igned. Such are politics in Australia.