POLITICAL CRISIS.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1385, 11 March 1912, Page 4

POLITICAL CRISIS.

PRESS OPINIONS. THE FORTY IN DISARRAY. THE ALLEGED ALLIANCE. Tho one fact standing out' clearly from tho flood of political rumours which at present inundates the country is that, when tho members of tho "Liberal" party assemble in 'Wellington on March 21 to select n new Leader, they will face a condition of things chaotic, unsettled and disturbed to an unprecedented degree. A significant point in this connection is that tho "Liberal" press has already begun to talk, in a matter of fact way, about the Libcral-ljabour alliance ond of Iho great things that it will do. This is pretence of the hollowcst hind, in view of the fact that members of tho Labour party havo announced, in tho clearest possible terms, that they will preserve their independence, and that, as Mr. Yeitch put it at Christchurch tho other day, "they must use whatever party was most suitable to their requirements."

AN INSOLUBLE PROBLEM. "Private information from Christchurch. indicates," says tho "West Coast Times," "(hat Canterbury, which has always been loyal to the 'Liberal party'— ridiculously loyal—holds tho key of tho position in connection with the reconstruction of the Ministry. AH tho members of the Ministerial party representing constituencies in and around Christchurch consider themselves eminently fitted for Ministerial rank, and so "they are, if the llou. David Buddo reflects tho standard of perfection for Cabinet •Ministers. There- are also ono or two Canterbury 'Liberals' who count themselves as quite fittod to lead a Governwent. Wo can readily understand, therefore, that tho. task of cementing tho parly together under tho leadership of Mr. T. Mackenzie or Mr. Millar will be a most difficult one. Canterbury contributed ten supporters to the Liberal parly's thirty-four. Tho mutton and wheat province, with its wealthy squatters and wool kings, saved the 'Liberal' party from ulter annihilation, in fact,. Canterbury has as many representative's in the Government partv as the whole of the North Island. The making of tho now Cabinet provides a problem that would tax tho wisdom of a Solomon." DELAY NOT DANGEROUS. The "Rangitikei Advocate." takes a long-sighted view of the present political complications. "It docs not appear to have yet struck tho Ministerial organs," it remarks, "that the Reform party havo been extremely lucky in being kept out of office (ill after Parliament assembles in Juno, but by that time they will no doubt realise the fact. Had they taken office as a result of a victory on tho no-confidence motion they would have had to deal with several difficulties which the \Vnrd party will now have to face. Among these are the recent strikes and the financing of loans which arc falling due. On tho last occasion when tho party now in office were displaced their successors had to' pay for their errors, as in remedying them they incurred unpopularity. Sir Harry Atkinson found the finances in such a deplorable stato that he was compelled not only to impose fresh taxation, but to retrench in every possible direction, and of course those retrenched and those taxed toolt no notice of the fact that the position was due not to the Atkinson party but to their predecessors. The Reform party may congratulate themselves that hofora they take office some of the difficulties that now beset the Cabinet will have to be cleared away, and that the clearing will not lend to popularise the Ward party." , TWO HUNDRED MAORIS. There is one feature of the vote on th« no&onfidonco .amendment which has been overlooked. The Government was saved by the representative of a couple, of hundred Maoris. Tho monitor, for the Southera" Maori District, Mr. Tanre Pnrata, secured 261 votes and his vote was of tho some value ns a member representing an important city constituency. Te Rangihiroa (Dr. Buck), who also voted with tho Government, represents about a thousand Maoris so that the Government's majority is represented in about 1200 Maoris. Wo are. quite aware that Dr. Pomare voted against tho Government, but ho was sent to Parliament at the bidding of 2161 Maoris. The special Maori representation is farcical, and should be abolished. Tha presence of tho Native race is not an absolute necessity, although the retiring Ministry had an altogether unreasonable; proportion of Maori representation. Tho great Liberal party holds office to-day pn tho votes of two Native members who were sent to the House by 1306 Marois.—. "West Coast Times." TRADE COMMISSION. Speaking to a "Poverty Bay Herald" r#« presentativc, Mr. W. D. S. Macdonald indicated that he did not think Sir Joseph Ward likely to accept a position on tho Imperial Trade Commission. "The party' understands from tho Prime Minister, 1 said Mr. Macdonald, "that ho has no desire at the present time to leave New Zealand to take up nnv appointment. Local opinion, as has been reported, leans strongly to the opinion that Sir Joseph Ward will talte a position on tho Trada Commission, or that of High , Commissioner, upon resigning his portloho.