ANOMALOUS POSITION.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1390, 25 March 1912, Page 7

ANOMALOUS POSITION.

MR. MASSEY INTERVIEWED. HAS MR, MACKENZIE A MAJORITY? <B» Telezrash.-I'rr«i \s'oi-latlon.> Auckland, March 24. "My first thought on opening the paper this morning," said the Leader of the Opposition, .Mr. Masspy, in an interview on Saturday, "was thot it is the unexpected that happens in politics. My second was, What would the Into Mr. Seddon say if he knew- the stato of his pnitv to-day'?. I do not propose to criticise the new Primo Minister," coiitiuiiod Mr. Massey, "nor to comment upon tlio proceedings of tho caucus until tho new Ministry has been formed, beyond remarking that Mr. Mackenzie, will find tho saying as true to-day as ever it was that no man can serve two masters. The occurrences of the Inst few days prove that there arc at least two factions within the Government party whoso views and ideas are widely antagonistic. Compare that stato of things with tho solidity of the Reform party, whoso ranks even in defeat stood with their faces to the foe, repulsed, but unbroken and undismayed, and as loynl as ever to tho principles for which thoy have contended. Strange as it niny seem, soino at least of those who volod against tho recent No-Coiitidenco motion believe in those principles. It is a peculiar position, and I am only o;ip among many who believe it cannot last. "Another very extraordinary position has arisen," continued Sir. Mns.se} - . "In ■i few days n new Ministry will be in office, ami, judging by present appearnnees, Parliament will not meet for probably three months. That circumstance suggests two important questions arising from the reconstruction of the Cabinet. Does the now Ministry command the confidence of a majority of the Honse, and if there is any doubt about its position —I happen to know there is' veiy serious doubt—should the Ministry go on making tire very important appointments that havo to "bo made, committing tho country to expenditure as they propose to do, and generally administering very important affairs of tho Dominion withont consulting Parliament, and, if it feels 50 inclined, without giving Parliament nn opportunity of expressing conh'denco in the Administration or tho reverse. This situation was foreseen at the end of the short session, and I divided the House, on the question of permitting it, but a majority voted against mo, and tho responsibility 15 theirs, but I have no hesitation in saying that it is a most undemocratic and unconstitutional position, and one that shnuU not be tolerated." Tho criticism by Mr. G. M. Thomson, M.P. for Bunedin North, of tho action ot the Ward Ministry in proceeding with tho erection of the now Parliament House, i= endorsed by the Leader of tho Opposition. "I thoroughly , agree with the opinion cNpre-S-'d bv' Mr. Thomson," said Mr. Massey on Saturday. "A huge sum of money has been wasted on temporary accommodation for Parliament, and nothing more should he done, until the now House of Rppresentntive-s has an opportunity to reconsider the whole matter."