THE LABOUR VIEW.

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

THE LABOUR VIEW.

"A WORKING ALLIANCE." On being consulted last evening as to tho position of .Labour in respect to the now Loader of the (iovernment (tho Ilo.ii. T. Mackenzie), Mr. J. Übbcrtsun, M.V. Cor Otaki, stated that as far as they were concerned the recent galhering was not regarded as n caucus, but as a conference of parlies, and they—tho Labour mem-ber.-—allowed that for tho present tho arrangement could be regarded as a working alliance, based on the policy outlined in..tho Governor's Speech. . Their vote must not be regarded as an individual pledgo to (ho Liberal parly. They still retained their identity as a Labour party. Anyhow, it wits only the election of a leader, mnd they still retained their independenco to vole on'measures as thev Land their (Labour) party thought advisable.

To a direct question as to whether any Labour representative would accept a Cabinet appointment, Jlr. Kobertson ' replied that ho had not discussed the mat--tor with his colleagues, and was not prepared to return a definite answer. "1 AM ASTOXISnED." (By Telegraph.—Press .Association.) . Cliristchurch, -March 2:2. Tho local Labour leaders were interviewed to-night on the selection of the Hon. T. Mackenzie. Mr. 1). U. Sullivan (president of Hie Canterbury Trades and Labour Council) said: "1 am astonished. When one realises that a icw years ago Mr. Mackenzie was little short of a pronounced Tory,, displaying absolutely no sympathy with the aspiration ol' that large section of the community possessed of progressive ideals, and actually hostile to (he principles of the Labour movement, one feels, instinctively Unit all the talk about a progressive policy and harmonious workbetween the Labour and Liberal parties is bosh and insincerity. All -Mr.'Mackenzie's utterance- ever since he has been ill political life indicate that he is an out-and-out individualist, and ti'mpsraineiitul!y opposed 16 collectivisl id.-als. Yet it is lownrds collcciivi-m that the whole Labour and progressive movement in this country is (ending. Yet it is not. my business as a member of the Labour parte to dictate to (he Liberal parly as to who shall bo-tlieh' leader. All 1 know isjhat the se!('o3ibu of-the Ministcrlfor' Agriculture as Prime Minister will be received with distrust by the workers of (his country, and strengthen them in their determination to build up a party of their own, that will be strong enough to be carol"-.- of the fact, of whether the. Liberal leader is a radical like Jlr. Lauvcnson or Liberul-cum-Comervative like Mr. Mackenzie."

Mr. }.[. niiiiror<(('hairmah~ofr"(hc.'Laliniir lie-presentation Committee) said: "My opinion is that I do not think Mr.-Mac-kenzie will ho able to secure the confidence oMinlraur. "Thegeneral"opinion ol' those in the.ranks of Labour-. that they look upon Mr. Mackenzie as a Conservative, and not progressive enough to secure support. Tho results .p.f,'Urn .last election showed that tho pooplo wanted more progress', and. everything- ■ points to the need for 'reorganisation 'of the progressive, section of the community, flip election.of Mr...Mackenzie's a step backwards, and would not receive the endorsement of- the electors if on appeal were made to the country." ROCKS AHEAO.

"A SANE MODERATE : POLTCT." The most optimistic supporters of the "Liberal" party do not attempt to' deny that it will have many troubles to contend against in (ho immediate future. Some of its members frankly give expression to a desire for :rt!''sa«e moderate policy," and they do not lii'id it easy lo make thn aspiration square with the coiiseuueners entailed in the alliance .with Labour or with Hip policy which is affirmed in Hie Governor's Speech. This policy was unanimously reaffirmed by Hie parly in (he caucus which has just concluded, but it is difficult, in view of the surrounding fads, to see what value attaches to 'reaffirmation?' The new leader (the Hon. 'fjioujns Mackenzie).,.declined with decision?• when lie was interviewed last evening, to commit himself to anything resembling a-general policy statement. In addition lo (his, more than one Government member has admitted that portions of the Speech are-impracticable and could not possibly be carried info effect. 'I'hcixmstifution of thoimrty'mUst in itself give rise, lo a-seriesof difficulties. Inc.liidine; many determined .leaseholders, if is to be led by a supporter of the optional system of land tenure. Agaiiii the Labour narty and ,the Radical wing of the party will certainly press for a mtieli more extreme'policy than -is 'ar'" all'likely to commend itself to the country members, or, for that matter, to the new leader of tho narl)'. ..himself,!. 'Members- of : the party who'were spoken to~ last-evening seemed (o rest in the hope that a working compromise Avould'he strfiek, and that they would be able to retain a small but sufficient .'majority. They sromed confident that they, be able, to hold their own in a session devoted to party warfare, but in regard (0 the difficulties that will surround tlio. jMi«a.7'>, of fiily.ro legislation they were 'suggestively reticent.

THE, RETIRING LEADER. , Furtrnk possibilities.'' Naturally n good deal of interest centres in thequestion as to the manner in wliieli Sir Joseph" "Ward will employ (he freedom ami leisure which ha will command when he laysjUnvn file reins of <]flice, 'i'ho theory that he v;ill await Iho return of lietlcr times in Ihe role of a private member does not by any means command miiv..>rs:il acceptance. Not a few people incline to the .belief."thai he.will accent an apnointment. on the Imperial Trade Commission. • ■The ai>noin(ni<v',t of .a New Zealand member to Hint body has been delayed for" no-"apparent reason— tho Australian member was appointed last month, and the' Canadian 'representative month? ago—and it is considered (hat the delay is purposeful. There are other n'eop'le who believe that Sir Joseph Ward has an eve-itn-lhe High Coimiiissioiicrshin, and will" continue in that belief until it is canfirfltod'or another person than Sir Joseph Ward has been annoiiited (o th" office, which Sir Win. Hall-Jones is vacati"S. PRESS OPINIONS. (By Tcleßrapll.—Spe.fiol '.CorrosDondcnU Christchurch,' starch 2.1. "It is'fllwnvs the unexpected tint hap pons in politics, lint tho whilgig of tunc has seldom brought round a Mraiiscr siirnrise than the selection of Mr. T. MaekcnKie, the renegade from tho so-called old Torv party as tho leader of tho LiberalLabour coalition. In one sense there may bo ft certain amount of appropriateness in tho fact that n party which is temporarily in possession owing to (ho broko.ivpledges: of some of its adherents should ,selcet a political turncoat for its leader, "it'-is impossible to believe that Iho country will rocoaniso him as _ n heaveu-snnt: leader capable. ofdirecting its iifl'airs,>and"it-.i.s equally dilliciilt to seo how the,heterogenous .member of this present party- can • agree to servo under his banner. The. chief, reason why Mr. Mackenzio has boen selected is apart from the ..Labours partyis..objection •■■to Mr. Millar, that so far as lie remains true to tinv of -his principles ho is a freeholder, ami. tho North ..Island members of tho partly have intimated that they will not have a- leaseholder, as their loader at any pricev Hut ■ what of (lie ardent leaseholders, Mr. Lauronson Mr. Ell, and Iho rest. Are ihoy content to follow blindly in the walto" of tho ex-member of iho Torv party and say. .that.thoy too oro. prepared to sink their principles In an 'attempt to (rot into oThoo and : to that end thev will as won fight under the freehold'bnnner as-any other.- The truth is tho filing is'a" fraud'which is bringing representative-institutions 'in Now Ze'nlaim.into. ridicule, and.contempt. We do not for ono moment belicvo that Mr. Mackenzie can form a Ministry that is capable of, standing. , The "Lyttellon Times" states: "The selection iif Mr. Mackenzie, is admittedly :\ compromise. It is an open f=ecret that ;i majority of the iiietiilws of Iho conference we.'O in-favour of the appointment of Mr. Millar, and. that if was .only tho unoompromuiiug opposrtloa o( Uw Labow;,

party and the No-Llccnso party (hut prevented his selection. Thodissentient; would have preferred Mr. Laureiiso:i V) Mr. Mackenzie, but the member for Lyitcllxm was niucli more ditlidenl limn wrr'i his friends in urging his claims, and ultimately tho honour fell upon the Minister for Agricnlturo by a. majority Unit (Ulnars well for his success at (lie head of tho pnfty. Mr. Mackenzie's f|UuliiicatiojiH for tho highest position to which hj has bsen promoted will not be <i<ic--tioned by finyono who knows him at nil intimately. Dunedln, March 2.1. Tlio "Daily Times" expresses doubt whether (he appointment will be received willi eniliusiasiiT by tho country, ami whether (ho decision of the mucus will be endorsed by the great bull; of Uio .Ministerial Kuoportors. It says Sir Joseph Ward will necessarily bo (bo power behind the throne until such lime as ha is culled once more to assume life leadership of the party. The leader" who is now appointed can only bo viewed as iv locum tenons, and if fhe parly were to remain in power, though that is. fot anticipated, (he Ministry he forms could oh I v be regarded as a warming-pan Ministry. Auckland, March 23. The "Herald" frays: "We believe Ilia seloction niado by the caucus will givo general 'satisfaction. It is, as we regard it, a clear recognition of the decided chaise in the feeling of the country as manifested at the general election. Mr. Mackenzie was long and actively associated with the Opposition, lie is a man of moderate, if not of conservative, views, lie is a freeholder and a practical agriculturist. Though most ol his life has been spent in the South Island, lie is now a member lor a northern electorate, tie decided to come north because ho realised that in this portion of the Dominion lay the jjreutcsl potentialities, that the pendulum of population, of trade, of progress, and development had swung across Cook Strait, and that the north was destined to play the leading part ill tho future history, of (lie country. ]lo hjis shown himself an energetic and painstaking administrator, and as Minister for Agriculture lias enhanced his reputation as-a. capable public mail. Hut in his new position he has a diflicult cow to hoe. llijs views on the land i|iic.-tiim diner diametrically frain those of many '.if his parly. Ife cannot be Mild in be in complete accord with the. policy of the Labour parly. It niily be that ha will prava siillicientlv compromising and conciliatory to sulistv ail .-.-elions of the curiously heterogeneous party of which he is new the head, but we suspect wo are on tho eve ol great, political changes. It will I:.' inhm-sliug. however, to sco how ho shapes' his course in the construction of a Ministry that will be able to -weolhes the storms ahead."

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH. .V.-UllEl) CAUUEH. The linn. 'I'.' Mackenzie was horn at Kdinburgh in 1851. Coming to New Zealand us h child ho was educated ul Ote.go public s-huols mid privately. In IbST lie was returned to .Parliament as member for Clutha. .lie. continued to ropre.-eut Unit constituency (ill 18INJ, and since then ho has sat. as a member for Waiheino, from 13011 to lull:!, and Waikouaili from 1902 to 1908. Hi: next Mom! ami was elected for Taleri, beating Mr. .1. T. Johnson hy a majority of over 500 Votes. Last election he once moro changed his conshtuencv, and defeated Mr. Divo for the Kgniont sent, Willi Ml votes against 2l>:iß. • Cabinet .rank has not como quickly to the Hon. T. Mackenzie; for more than twenlv years ho has been a member of »w "'Zealand Parliaments. Until four years ago lie hail thu repnlntion of a fearless free lnneo. in the House, but duriuß the rcesss of T.JO7-S ho publicly announced that lie had decided (0 join Iho ranks of the Government His reason for the decision was that it was lime, in his opinion, for moderate men to stand lo oppose (ho demands of extreme Socialism. On Iln> land iiiieslion Ml', Mackenzie, has ahvnvs been a freeholder. Outside of Parliament Mr. Mackenzie has had a varied and iniHoriaiit public career. In 1889 lie was appointed a government Commissioner to inquire into the conditions of (ho produce trade in England. Again, from ISM till ISM, he wa« iu'Enekind representing several colonial mercantile firms. Later on his knowledge of trade was valuable to him as a member of tho Tin-ill? Commission set up by tho Hou'so .of lioprcsentalives in 1891, mid as chairman of the Extension of Commerce Committee. Education lias also boon a special interest of Mr. Mackenzie's. Ho was tor lnanv years a member of (lie (Jingo Education 'Board, and for somo linio sat as chairman on tho hoard. He has also served mi tho (Jingo High School Hoard of Governors, and in 1001 ho was a member "-One -K°w Zealand Education Coinmisutoa. Among other positions Mr. Mackenzie wis-M'l'vdii Iho public as Mayor of lloslvn, and as a member of Hie Olago Hospital and Chnritablo Aid Boards and Ilosnilal Trustees, hi 1880 he was appointed .1 fellow of the Colonial Institute, ami in 188" a governor or "the Uoynl IV); perial Institute. In ISSB he represented New Zealand at the Sydney eenlcnnial ce'«l)rntiniis. As an explorer, Mr. Mackenzie has a wormy record. As early as 1885 he iniido pioneer journeys into (ho wild AVest Olago rish-icr. Uo was associated with Quinton M'Kinnoii when the latter discovered Ihe well-known M'Kinnon Pass. In 1888 bn Wchargo of"a relief party ilmt searched tho Mattcrhorn for Professor Dnimrni'iiiK Ercivn, and discovered tho ni>s Lei""o?n Lake Manapouvi and Hall a Arm. Three passes were discovered , by him later lietaceu Lake Miinaponri and. Duskv Sound -In 1898 ho was mndo a, fellow of Ilie.Koyal Geographical Society. Land surveying «'"' hush-farming havo also hri'ii among Mr. Mackenzie's many interest,*. He btcame a member ol tho Ward Administration in .(miliary, 1909, being given the portfolios of Industries ■•'id Commerce, Tonrisf . Hnsorls, and lorestrv, with full Ministerial rank, but ■without salon-. Later on tho resignation uf Mr. Hogg led lo a further rearrangement of portfolios when .Mr. Mackenzio was; given the position of Minister lor Agriculture, to which he lias since devoted most of his attention, lit one respect ho has had hard luck. The electorates of Clutha, Waikouaili, which ho successively represented, were in turn extinguished by Iho Boundary Commissioners. The final 'coiiseijiieiice was that he trail*, i'erred his attention to the North Island, and was elected last December as member lor Eginont.