POLITICAL CRISIS.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1380, 5 March 1912, Page 5

POLITICAL CRISIS.

DESPERATE ATTEMPT OF THE FORTY. IMPORTANT APPOINTMENTS THAT MUST BE MADE, WHO WILL MAKE THEM? Speculation still has to take the plac» of definite announcements iis to" the immediate political future. It is now understood that even if the objections of Mr. Hindmarsh and somo of the "Liberals" to tho Hon. J. A. Millar's leadership could bo overcome, ho would himself refuse to become a member of such an Administration as is expected to be formcd out of the composite majority which went into tho lobby with Sir Joseph Ward at last Thursday's sitting of Parliament. Somo of tho talk which is going on upon that side eeems to indicate that it may bo thought necessary to secure tho adhesion of some of tho doubtful members by offering them portfolios. In fact, owing to tho desperate nature of the attempt of the Forty to lay hold of and retain political power, it may be found that disaffection, in some cases, is a safer road to preferment than the most distinguished ability or the most faithful services to the party. Thus it may bo deemed impossible to afford a portfolio for, say, Mr. Ell, whose vote is considered absolutely safe, while thero aro so many other members of whom tho same cannot bo said. Tho more the subject is discussed the more arc the politicians and the watchers of the.«game impressed by tho extreme difficulty of the task of forming the promised new Ministry.

Speculation has hardly got as far as the allocation of portfolios among the possible Ministers, but it is said that Mr. Ngata will be the new Native Minister. If so, this will be the first time the portfolio has been held by a representative of e, Maori constituency. It will be very difficult to pick a Finance Minister to carry out the extensive loan-raising operations which Sir Joseph. Ward has postponed to be dealt with by. his successor. It is, at any rate, clear that Sir Joseph Word is still at the head of the Government and that ho will do most of tho wire-pulling of the next few days, and will virtually select the new Cabinet. Some of his supporters protest vehemently that he will fulfil in ,a quite gonuino manner his promise to resign. Meanwhile it is baing pointed out that a number of very impoitant appointments in the rublic Service are nearly duo to bo made. Mr. W. C. Kensington, 1.5.0., Under-Secretary for Land 6, retires on March 29. If the recognised practice.is followed, his position. will bo given to one of (he Commissioners of Crown Lands, or some other high officer, and quite' a series of promotions and transfers will naturally ensue. The re> tircment' of Mr. F. Waldegrave, UnderSecretary foi" Justice and Commissioner of Police, also takes place this month, and will necessitate the appointment of a, new Under-Secretary and possibly of a separnte Commissioner. And most important of all, there is the selection of a successor to Sir William Hall-Jones, whoso term as High Commissioner in London has only been extended to March 31. All tlieso-; important appointments, numbering perhaps la dozen when' tho necessary consequential promotions are taken into account, are due to bo made this month, during which the only Government in power will necessarily be of a temporary and provisional character. Perhaps, within tho same period the Now Zealand Government will bo nsked by tho Home authorities, to nominate rv member of the Imperial Trade Commission. It is still rumoured that: appointments may be made to tho Legislative Council during tho present condition of political instability. ' » ( r

WOMEN'S REFORM LEAGUE. v TWO RESOLUTIONS. At the meeting of the women's branch of the Reform League, held Inst evening,members, while congratulating Mr. Massey and tho members of tho Reform partv'upon their vigorous fight on the'noconfidonco motion, enrriod the following resolutions:— (1) In view of the present political crisis, and tho probability of an early appeal to the electors, the Women's Branch, of the Reform League pledges itself to do its utmost lo secure- tho defeat of the discredited Government parly, which is in tho ignominious position of being supported bv brewers and monopolists, and is kept in 'office only by tho broken pledges of two Labour members and tho casting vote of tho Speaker. ■ ... (i) That some explanation is due by this league to those Oppositionists in Otaki who, at; tho league's request, worked and voted for Sir. Robertson, believing him to be a man whose political pledges could bo relied upon. And, further, that this league urges tho women of Now Zealand to unite in a resolute endeavour tc remove from office a party which; welcomed such men as Messrs. Robertson and Payne into their ranks, knowing that they hail broken faith with their constituents. •The resolutions were carried with enthusiasm.