AUCKLAND VIEWS.

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

AUCKLAND VIEWS.

NEW PREMIER STILL TO PtiOVE HIS WORTH. THE "STAR'S" COMMENT. (By Telegraph— Special Correspondent.) Auckland, March 24. Commenting editorially upon Mr. Mackenzie's elevation to the Premiership, the "St.ir" says: "The Liberal party has solved (he problem of the Premiership by the means that tho majority of pruuent aud reasonable people usually fall back upon, in a difficult position—a judicious compromise." After discussing the claims of Mr. Millar and others, the "Star" continues: "As a politician and Minister, Mr. Mackeuzio's qualifications for his high ottice aro undeniable. Tho only furtiier question of importance that can be asked is whether he is likely to hold tho party together, or whether ho possesses the (act, the good judgment, and the political insight needed to make a successful Parliamentary leader. On these points Mr. Mackenzie has still to prove his worth, but his past record certainly justifies high hopes for his future. The leading Opposition journals in the south, we observe, are so exasperated at tho hopeful prospects of Liberalism that they have broken out again to barely urticulato denunciations of the new Premier and his followers, but the fact that TnE Dominion regards the Liberal party as a discredited and condemned minority) united by no principle, and torn by internal dissensions, will not greatly disturb tho'.equanimity of Mr. Mackenzie and his colleagues. Inspired by a strong senso of their weighty public responsibilities and encouraged by the enthusiastic support that the country still accords to the Liberal policy, they will enter upon office, do'.ermined to justify tho high traditions of Liberalism, and to carry its principles into practical effect, and though Sir Joseph Ward has withdrawn from the Ministry it is a source of encouragement , and confidence to the whole country to know that 'the party will still havo, the assistance" of his well-tried financial and administrative ability, nnd his long and successful experic-ncc of public affairs." Amongst the opinions sought in Auckland was that of Mr. H. J. Xorhcny, president of the local branch of tho Liberal and Labour Federation. Ho said: "I should havo thought, seeing tho position that tho Hon. Mr. Millar has held as Minister for Labour for such a number of years, that ho would havo been chosen as Prime Minister,, but as the party has thought otherwise, notwithstanding the position which Mr. Millar has held for so long both in.tho Scddon. nud the Ward Administrations as the champion of Labour, and which ono would havo thought gave him a prior right to tho leadership, then," added Mr. Xerheny, "I consider apart from Sir Joseph Ward himself that there is not another man in the Dominion better fitted for thp post than the lion. Thomas Mackenzie."

Tho secretary of. the Farmers' "Union, Mr. A. Schmitt, expressed himself as follows: "The Hon. Thomas Mackenzie has alreadv done, so much for the farmers towards tlie advancement of industries pertaining to the land, besides proving himself to be. a man of moderate, views and a freeholder, that I think the. selection should ploase (he farmers of the country generally. Putting tho question of party to one side, I cannot see that tiro farmers havo anything to complain about at all in the (.-election of such a man as Mr, Mackcnzio for tho leadership of the Government. I do not know of any man who lias tried to advance the interests of tho farmers more of late .>earp,_ and I think wo are really indebted to him for a good deal. In short, I ennnot Twilly sie. that we could have done bettor from a farmer's point of view." "A STOP-GAP."

•DTJNEDIN LABOUR MEN ASTOUNDED. (By Telesrraph.—Press Afsoclatlon.) Dunedin, March 23. ! Official and. unofficial .labour, are astounded at tho choice of a leader by tJio caucus.. They point out that absolutely nothing of a democratic nature can bo exacted from Mr. Mackenzie, whom they designate as an individualist of tho most pronounced type. They ridicule tho id-cu 'of Mr. Mackenzie., attempting to control tho leaseholders, seeing that ho is what, they describe as a tabid freeholder. They consider (ho appointment a stop-gap, and believe a deeper game is being played behind tho screen that has been set up by Sir Joseph Ward. Tho general opinion in Labour eticlos is that Mr. Millar, although not a hot favourite for tho position, would have been infinitely superior. ■ . . . . Mr, Macm'nmis, who opposed Mr, Sidey for Dunedin South, says:—"Tho best that could bo expected from Mr. Mackenzie would be legislation of n mildly palliative suture, so far as Labour is concerned." Ho also favours tho opinion that a general election is certain within a year. FEELING IN WANGANUI. IF MR. VEITCH JOINS THE CABINET. (By Telegraph.—Special Correspondent.) Wanganui, March 21. Labour men in political circles hero are indisposed to comment freely ou the latest developments in tho political situation, but from remarks they have Jot fall they do not seem to be over-charged with enthusiasm regarding Jlr. Mackenzie. Tho opinion seems to be that considering Mo unhappy circumstances in which the Liberal party finds itself, it is about tho best choico it could havo made. It is predicted, however, that' the party will not remain united, and that another oloUiou is probable before the year is o'lt. Regarding the report that Mr. Veitjii 15 likely to be included in the new J'inistry, tho local "Labourites" have waited to hear on- what terms ho would join the Ministry in case ho should be offered a portfolio, If he accepts it, not as a Liberal, but in a free-lance capacity, representing a separate Labour party, with complete freedom of action, coupled with tho adoption by tho Government of Labour's chief plank, his supporters will j probably offer no objection; but should his acceptance lead to a sinking of his or his party's individuality in tho Liberal party, and thus putting an end to Labour's ambition to havo an entirely separate party of its own, it is stated that many of his sup porters will at onco withdraw their support. .; .