THE NEW LEADER.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1396, 23 March 1912, Page 5

THE NEW LEADER.

HON. T. MACKENZIE INTERVIEWED. A CAVTIOUR UOTKRAXOK. The new leader of the "Liberal" party, the Hon. T. Mackenzie, upon lieinu interviewed last eveninß, declared that he was not as vet in a position to Fay much about tho nrospects and possibilities which his election had opened up.' His elevation had rorae upon him rather suddenly, ami lie had not vet given any detailed consideration to the question of formuiK a Cabin?V, or to the other important duties whic.i his new position will entail. On the same Krounds, Mr. Mackenzie declined, at tlu moment, to define tlu> nolir-y for \yh:c.i his Xdminislrati'm would stand. At tilt -■uiie time lie declared himself nmliih'iit he iculd fonn a Mii.t-dv llni would coinmaud I lie united .-npp.irt »l the parly and | of the country. Afkocl whetW ho thought the Hotw [ would bo called togcUwr M we June, Mr,

Mackenzie returned a decided negative. Parliament, ho remarked, would be called together at fho ordinary time. He saw no necessity to do anything else. As to the formation of the new Cabinet, Mr. Mackenzie staled that ho would endeavour to' give representation to every portion of tho Dominion. Kach island was entitled to its ipioln of Ministers, though it was not always possible to get a Minister at tho exact spot desired, livery effort would bo made to represent as fairly as possible tho town and country interests, and tho geographical divisions of (he country, in tho Cabinet. Mr. Mackenzie declined to say whether any of his present colleagues wore likely to bo included in the new Cabinet. He declared himscif a supporter of tho optional tenure, and indicated that progressive land settlement would undoubtedly be a feature in the policy of tho new Administration. "f think our hopos in the country are good," Mr. Mackenzie remarked. "I have been a good deal associated with the farming interests, and have reason to believe Ihat a good deal of the work I have done as Minister for Agriculture has met with the approval of those engaged in farming. Tam aware of deficiencies, and T realise that very much more can bo done than we have even as yet attempted to widen the operations of the Agricultural Department. For instance, a great deal can yet ho. done to bring into use land that is at present going back. Much con be done wilh the gum lauds and with lauds afl'ncled with bush sickness, and in many other ways, to the end of improving the farming industry and its production." Mr. Mackenzie has received telegrams of congratulation from all over the country, and friends, bent upon a similar errand, visited him in such numbers last evening that ho had to suspend all other activities in order to receive them. To<hiv ho will tackle the arduous work of Cabinet-making and similar activities.