THE STOP-GAP GOVERNMENT.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1402, 30 March 1912, Page 7

THE STOP-GAP GOVERNMENT.

Apart from tho stir and bustlo incidental to a new Ministry entering its official establishment, quictudo was the provailing nolo in tho political world yesterday. Prophets aro numerous who aver that tho new Ministry will not stand for a week in actual conflict in Parliament. A thing which has given rise to a good deal of surprised commont is that reconstruction has apparently followed closely on tho heels of construction in the case of Mr. Mackenzie's Cabinet. On Thursday night it was announced that Mr. Colvin would bo Postmaster-General, and that Mr. Ell would be an unsalaried Minister without portfolio. Yesterday, it was officially stated that n chango wis contemplated; that Mr. Ell might be tnado Postmaster-General. It is universally agroed that Mr. Myers, though ho is ono of the most able members of tho now Ministry, is overloaded with portfolios. This lends an oir of probability to a rumour that Mr. Wilford is to bo asked to assunio tho portfolio of Dofenco as well as to become At-torney-General and leader of tho Upper House. A certain amount of credence is given to the report that tho now Government will ask Parliament to creato two paid Ministerial positions in addition to those existing, but tho critics of tho Ministry, at auyrate, hold that it will not livo long enough to push any such application. Mr. Hunan, it is understood, will net as Attorney-General pending tho allocation of that portfolio. Following aro tho salaries of the new Ministers so far as they have been definitely appointed:—Tho Hon. Thos. Mackenzie (£1G00), Hon. A. SI. Myers (£1300), Hon. W. D. S. Macdonald (.81000), Hon. J. A. H'anan (.£1000), Hon. G. Laurenson (£1000), Hon. G. W. Russell (£1000), Hon. J. Colvin (£1000), Hon. To. Rangihiroa (£100).

THE NEW GOVERNMENT.

NOT IN HARNESS YET. INTERVIEW WITH THE PRIME MINISTER, Tho new Prime Minister (the Hon. T. Mackenzie) readily acceded to a request preferred last evening by a Domimon reporter for an interview, but took rofugo from most of tho questions addressed to him in the plea that his Cabinet was as yet too young in office to havo considered many of tho matters in regard to which information was sought.

Mr. Mackenzie made no difficulty about stating that ho adhered to his previous position in regard to tho assembling of Parliament. It would meet at tho ordinary time, somewhere about Juno next, and he saw no necessity for an early session.

In regard to.the allocation of the portfolio of Postmaster-General, which is now said to bo destined for Mr. Ell, instead of Mr. Colvin, the Prime Minister declined to say anything more than that this chango was contemplated. It was submitted by tho reporter that this left tho position rather open, since tho portfolio in question must presumably bo carried by a salaried Minister, and Mr. Ell had been appointed to the Executive without salary, "The matter is under consideration," said Mr. Mackenzie, with finality.

When he was asked whether the At-torney-Generalship had been offered to Mr. Wilford, Mr. Mackenzie mado no other reply than to remark that a good many pcoplo were after that portfolio. Ho was equally uncommunicative in regard to the appointment of a Now Zealand representative on the Imperial Trade Commission, and in regard to the position which is reported to have arisen in tho New Hebrides.

A matter of considerable public interest at tho moment is the proposal to conveno a conference of representatives of local public bodies to consider tho provisions of tho Local Government Bill. Some hundreds of local bodies, great and small, are concerned, and such matters as the arrangement cf representation nt tho conference will call for delicate adjustment. Mr. Mackenzio declared himself not in a position to amplify in any way the announcement already published respecting the conference.

Questioned next in regard to a statement published in the London "Investors' Review," in reference to a rumour that tho New Zealand Government had been privately selling quantities of 3} per cent, stock on tho London market, Mr. Mackonzio indicated that the matter had not yet come under his notice.

Questions put to tho- Prime Minister about Bomo ponding appointments, the disposal of Ministerial rosidoncos, and other matters, were equally fntilo. Mr. Mackenzie politely protested that tho Cabinet liad only boon sworn in on tho previous evening, and luul not had timo to consider details of publio businoss. So far, lie remarked, activity had been mainly confined to the difficult task of allocating portfolios. This had now happily beon completed—tho Prime Minister did not alludo at this stago to tho disposal of tho'portfolios of Postmaster-General and Attorney-General—but the detail matters which, had been mentioned would probably not bo dealt with for two or three days yet. Ho indicated further that a brief interval of rest would probably follow upon tho arduous labours of tho past week. Mr. Mackenzie smilingly confessed that ho had himself taken an afternoon off to go to Day's Day that day, and endorsed a suggestion that probably very littlo business would bo transacted by Ministers during tho week-end.

.A statement has been made that the members of the now Cabinet may undertake a. platform campaign before Parliament reassembles. Questioned on tho subject, Mr. Mackenzie said that the matter had not yet been considered.

In regard to general policy, Mr. Mackonsio Kiid ths.t ho hod nothing to add, moMitlme, to Uio t»Uo\<tlt>t otatomcut' to

HUIOROUS ASPECTS. THE PRIME MINISTER INTERVIEWED. "OWER YOUNG" TO TALK YET. OTAGO INDIGNANT. PRESS AND OTHER CRITICISMS.

THE QUAINT MINISTRY,

""I havo been, so fully occupied that I have not thought of any political manifesto. However, I can say that wo will devoto ourselves unsparingly to tho closer Eottlement of our country, to tho development of our agricultural and pastoral interests, to forwarding our mining and 1.0 promoting and fostering our tr.ido and manufactures, both hero and abroad, and to improving the conditions of our people. Wo desire to scttlo down to solid work and to deal with questions which really affect tho progress of our country. To give, in short, tho practical substance, nnd not tho parly shadow.

"Tho country has for tho past six nionlhs been in the throes of political unrest, and we believe that the pcoplo arc tired of parly wranglings which havo been going on to tho overshadowing of the proper consideration and promotion of tho great national interests, interests which we should all have so • closely at heart. I have confidence that tho people of this Dominion will appreciate a party that will quietly ond resolutely settle down, to doing the work the. country requires done. My colleagues, although new to Ministerial rank, are well-known ns zealous and capable public men, who havo filled many important public positions for years past. They are also recognised as enthusiastic men, who will bring their best energies to bear on (ho Departments committed to their care. All I ask at this timo is that tho people of New Zealand should suspend their judgment until tho new Administration has had a reasonable opportunity to justify its existence. If that be done, I havo little fear of tho result."

'•UNDER SUCH LEADERS-' 1

MR, HERDMAN'S VIEW. POLITICS IN TRANSITION STAGE. "Tho new Ministry must be judged by its creed,".said Mr. A.;L. Hci'doifl)|,{M.P., when lie was lsked last evening to express an opinion upon tho latest political creation. "Its head," he added, "has not yet published its articles of faith. "I believe," the member for Wellington North went on to remark, 'that if the House were to meet to-day, Mr. 'ilaelrenn'o's Government would bo defeated. Mr. Millar appears to command tho political situation. It is said that he has a small following, and if that be so, he can make or unmake tho new Administration. Mr. Mackenzie's instincts are for sound.land settlement. Mr. Myers is a gentleman of recognised business ability, who may'-be ablo to master the most fascinating:of all political studies, those of railways and finance. But what can those gentlemen do surrounded by Ells and Laurensons and Colvins? Then, who is going to put fresh life into tho spirit of industry, and remove tho fetters that bind our commercial, life? Some members of tho Ministry look upon tho investor and tho man of enterpriso' as tho, plunderers of society. Thev subject them to'vulgar nbueo mid opeiily declare war upon them. Under such leaders, how can we expect industrial development and progress in.our towns and cities? ' "I should sav Hint there is little prospect of Public Service reform. There can be no sound change made without adopting tho Australian principle, which G»'" ability and energy tho best chance, and destroys the pernicious evil of 'influence. Tho railways will not bo well managed unless Mr. 'Myers secures tho services of an'up-to-date 'railway man, and the observations which I hnvo twulo. about, the. Public Scrvico apply to this important Department. , , ',T rejoieo to think that the last election' has destroyed for over the Ward Government. ..Tust think of it! lney ore"-all, except Mr. T. Mackenzie, swept out of office—neck and crop they havo been bundled out. The Reform party mnv well fcol gratified. It is true that lv'discreditable methods the ffnvernnicnt has succeeded in keeping Mr. Massey out of power, but I don't think that tho Tender of the Opposition,need regret much that he is not to-day in tho Pnnio Minister's chair, t believe that polities n New Zealand are in a transition state, and Hint tho Hmo will surely como when the ' thoughtful ond' reasonable men . in.; public life will bind themselves together, and force the agitator the crank, dreamer, and tho artful dodger to herd together in one common compartment. .'JI feel confident,". Mr. Herdman concluded, "that tho bulk of the people in New Zealand want sensible, rntionol government, and nn more fireworks. Jiiey am in the temper to insist upon this. Mr. .Mnckonzio is a trcntlcnimi of w;clo experience'and great ability. He is qiiiel: to understand the state of Uus P»M» mind. It will therefore be interesting to read his first declaration of policy.

A HOLOCAUST OF LEADERS,

DR. A. K. NEWMAN'S CRITICISM. Speaking to a Dominion reporter Inst evening, Dr. A. K. Newman, M.P. for Wellington East, stated that ho tinged Mr. Mackonzio as the next Prim© Minister when Sir Joseph Ward announced last session that lie would retire. "Mr. Mackenzie is an old friend ot mine/' raid Dr. Newman, "and I hope, ho will enjoy his new honours-for tho next three months." . n Briefly reviewing tho short; session, ur. Newman compared it to a glove fipht, in which ench side pot 89 points, with the result that tho referee- (Mr. Spcakor) ordered another round next session. "Wo just failed to win," said Dr. Isowman, "but look nt the proggy condition of our foes-look at tho list of dear doDnrtedi.' Sir Joseph Ward, Sir Jas. Cartoll,' Messrs. Millar, M'Konn*. Buddo, and Ngate.; what n holocaust of tho 'Liberal' lenders 1 What a knock-out it has been!" ~.,.. What of tho new Ministry P "Well, 1 thought tho Mackenzie would make o clean mrcop if ho could-it was his only chance. When Sir Joseph Ward took 'Air. Mackenzio into tho Ministry tho then members were anything but nice lo the newcomer. That was patent to everyone. Tho fiery Mackonzio has now 'got oven' with the lot—taken a real Highland revenge—it is liko the massacro of Glencoe—but done honourably in fair open fight. It is a very quaint Ministry— liko a traveling raenagorie, whoro in tho same oagfl may bo seen a hyena end a lamb, a fox torrlor and a rabblb-all drJUiod. Into onlcr br th» trainer. A l -Urcsx« «sa & PawMtoM paniM not

by efdei a rabid l«RMho]doii 6quatUn& • peacefully bcaulfl a fierce freeholder. Men ] of most varied hostile views—all living W ; a happy family, ' A Question of Majorities. "No," ooutinuod Dr. Newman, "I cannot boo how. the country can be cnthusi- j ostio about it: there is bo little to en- i thuso over. I am surprised to e-c-o Mr. MacDoneld, n country settlor, made Minis- i tor for Public Works; ho has had no I preliminary training, such as _ his predecessor, the Hon. R. M'Keuzie. Another quaint position is that of Mr. ' Myers. Ho is an ardent, whole-souled I boliovor in tho three-fifths majority; ho < has fought long and earnestly for this ■ great prmciplo that things should remain ; as they are, property bo conserved by hia ; huge majority, and yet ho becomes a ( Minister ot the Crown on a baro majority. I wonder wlint his guiding prin- j ciplo isP I "It is a now Ministry, but tho old Ad- : ministration," Dr. Newman went on to I remark. "Such a slaughter of an entire i Ministry by its own supporters I believe is without parallel. I wonder how thesa , erstwhilo lenders fool about it. Of courso , tho policy and administration ovo the samo ! tlrat tho country has- crown so tired of. ] Tlio country wauled a chaiigo of Adminis- j tration—it has not a change of adminis- i trators only. After all, it is tho soma ' 'Liberal' Administration in everything. ! How can it Imj otherwise? Every act of [ tho Ward Government has boon supported by each ono of thorn Inst Parliament. ' They voted for tho 100-rapid borrowing! ; they supported the policy of reckless ,«• ; travagnneo—that lias increased high tasa- ; lion and dearer cost of living, 'i'licy voted for keeping accounts of money secret j from the public. They never objected to > tho wicked system of grants to Judge*; | nor to the Moknu act. They supported on [ Administration which has made all our j Civil Service so dissatisfied. They sup- ; ported tho muddling management of tho railways; year aflcr year they eiidoTstxl a ; 'luilina' policy. Wlint hope then can tho ! people hiivo from such n'noi: Ministry? i Rome of them have grown grey in support- | ing these things so hurtful to tho people.

I The Power Behind tho Throne. : "Note tliis,, too. Though tho Ward ■ Ministry is nominally dead, yet it ia : still very much alive, for Sir Joseph ; Ward ami his late colleagues. Sir JaniM i Carroll, Messrs. Millar, limldo, Ngata, ; and K. M'Kenzic, arc still in Parliament, j and from the back benches still dictate j the policy. They will bo tho'rower bo- ; hind the throne, greater than the throne i itself. They will still bo masters—tho new J Ministry, backed by a microscopic ma- . jority of three, and a very shaky three ; ot that, must pay heed to their late lead- : crs. ' ' "In the days of Ballanco tho Liberal s party was young and full of enthusiasm ~j for their lender. In Seddon's days 'fao- I tion dare not rear its ugly head': tho j party was solid, and had an overwhelming, j . majority. To-day tho sccno is changed, i Tho Liberal party is split up into factions: its lalo leaders sit in tho background, nursing their wrath and bitter- I ncss. The Liberal narty itself is in n, ; minority: it holds olhco by the very pre- I carious favour of tho Independent Four, ! Messrs. Veitch, Iliadmnrsh, Payne, and j Robertson. It must plcaso them—or go I out. I A Loader Who Must Follow, ; "Tho Prime Minister is in the position j of a French Premier, who was asked by a , friend whv ho pursued such an cxtraor- j dinary policy. Sadly ho replied: 'I am ; their leader, I must follow them.' Whor- j ever a faddy section led, he had to bo at i tho head. ! "I fail to seo how the new Ministry can j command,the Confidence of the country," ] continued the member lor Wellington i East. "The country was sick and tired of tho Ward Administration. The only rca- ; son the Reform party did not get an actual majority was because tho mana of i the Liberal party had through loug years ; of victory so impressed the country that ; people thought it could not be beaten. I am confident that if tho public last October to December had dreamt the Min- ; istry might bo defeated, tho country ; would have sent them packing. As the : country was then tired of tho Liberal party, as the people then 'wanted a.i change.' Mail to seo how it can be cop ; tent with this change. You see oven in the House itself it does not really posses' a decent backing. The new Prime Minis- . tor was elected by a minority, a hero , were present 31 M.P.'s in n House of 80and 22 of these, a little over one-quarter ; of tho House, elected tho Prime Minister. . Then these 31-truo to the Liberal policy ; of the 'spoils to the victors-divided up all the offices themselves. "As I told you".concluded Dr. Now-, mnu, "last session the Ministerial party■ in tho battle were mighty glad when tho gong sounded. They, were as nearly m possible knocked out. It is evident,from • tho wav thov havo voted out their olclj leader that they felt desperate remedies, wera needed. They felt that when tho gong sounds again next .Tune they must: remodel their lines of battle or be beaten \ "Well, they must bo very glad that UifV, have a clean three months of rest in which to recover."

PRIVATE SECRETARIES,

POSITIONS REDISTRIBUTED.

. At a fully attended mooting of tho no* i Cabinet yesterday morning ■ Sir Josopn • Ward beta also present, positions wcro, ; allotted to tho various Ministerial pnvawj I secretaries. , ' ' The new Prime Minister s privato seer©., 1 tarics will be Messrs. L. E. Johnson (Mr.; : Mackenzie's present secretary), mm Hi; ■ Grocolt, who was in charge of tho cori respondence department m fair Josepll; ; Word's office. , , • • Mr F. D. Thomson, private secretary: to the Hon. J. A. Millar since that gen.tlcmaii was wised to rank.will h?. attached to the lion. A. M. Myers,' who has charge of Railways, liuance, ana Mr. V. G. Matthews, who succeeded Mr. ,T. llislop as chief private secretary to Sir. ■ Joseph Ward, will be private secretary, to the Hon. W. D. S. Mac )ona d, Is atiro Minister, and associated with .him will bo Mr. fialneavis. who was privato secretary to the Hon. A. T. ;Ngata. The Hon. 0. Laurenson, Minister 10. Labour and Marine, will-havo the services of Mr. K. N. G. Ponlton. who was associated with Sir John I'ludlay, during ' the tinio ho occupied : a seat m tus Ministry. . . ' , , >1 Mr. i. W. Black, privato secretary... to tho Hon. I). Buddo, will act in a similar capacity for the lion. G. W. Russell, Minister for'lnternal Afltfirs;';Mr. J. M'Alister, who was private secretary to the Hon. H. M'keuzio, will .1)5 private secretary to tho Hon. J. Colvtm Minister for Mines, . J Mr. W. Crow, formerly privato secre. tarv to tho lIon.G. Fowlds, and with many vcars of secretarial experience bchind tiim under former Ministers, will be private secretary to the Hon. 11. 0. Jiiij who, it is understood, will relieve, th< Hon. J. Colvin of the duties of Post master-General. ,', c. Other appointments havo yot to W made. THE NEW MINISTRY. A. HUNT FOR OFFICE QUARTERS. The energies of tho now Ministers wcrj principally directed yesterday to a 6earcl lor accommodation. Not so very. lon| ago two rooms apiece, for eight Ministers satisfied'all needs. Now there are clove] Ministers to bo provided for, most o wliom want threo rooms apiece. Minit tcrial establishments haw grown remark ably in Now Zealand of late years. Ther are men in tho public service, not yc old, who romoinbcr the timo when th Premier was tho only Minister who ha* a secretary, and own ho had only one, Tho difficulty of tho existing position i heightened by tho fact that Parliamcn end eomo of tho Departments arc nt pw sent in temporary quarters. Hamlin for rooms w.aa a pursuit in universal fav our yesterday, but most of tho new Mir letors havo now been provided for. an are in a position to Bottle down for th span of their Ministerial existence. Mr, Maokonzie will, of course, tak oyer tho offices vacated by Sir Joeep' Ward. Mr. Macdonatd is to occupy th rooms in tho Departmental Buildings foi morly occupied by Mr. It. M'Kenzic, aft will also retain, for use during tho sw eioni Mr. M'Konzio's lata rooms in th temporary Parliament BwiMings. Mi Myers will Buccoed Mr. Millar as occi: pant of tho Ministerial rooms in th Railway Buildings. Mr. Laurenson wil find commodious quarters in, the Cut toma Building, ana Mr. Haman, as Min ieter for Justice, ia provided with room in tho Dopartmontal Buildingß. Mr, Rue 8011, the uw MinistOT for Internal Affair* wffl' find rooio* M Pa.rliaiaont Building i&.UWU !m w icwmmodated in th

Departmental Buildings, and Mi. EU will most likely be given office quarters in tho . Moleswortn Street Ministerial residence. Mr. Mackenzie is expected to resumo the Ministerial residonco in Molesworth Streot, w;hicb, he forniorly occupied, ', and it is understood that Awarua. House.will be taken over by Mr. A. M. Myers,, A SURPRISE PACKET, THE CANTERBURY FOUR. (By Telesraph.—Special Correspondent.) Christchurch, March 29. , The selection of Ministers niado by the new Prim© Minister (the Hon. T. Mnc- !■ kchzie) occasioned some surprise among 1 tho community of Christcliurch. "Some of '.. the new Ministers, of course,, had. been re- ■ garded as certainties, and their inclusion was not tho subject of particular com- ,; ment. The elevation of no fewer than four Canterbury members to Ministerial rank was tho real surprise packet. It was well ' known that the Canterbury -members had been the cause of some embarrassment to the Prime Minister, as he had not..the number of portfolios at his disposal which' would enablo him to satisfy them all. It has been common talk that several Ciiiii terbury members during the past week . havo been in sedulous attendance at Wcl- - lington, and that they were pressing their ! .claims with some insistence. The opinion i in town is that Mr. Mackenzie has done his best to satisfy thein all, and' that the I- inclusion of Messrs. Ell and Buxton as . . Ministers without salary is a sop to thoso v' two members. Tho lion. G. W. .Russell's ; appointment is credited to his own vigorous determination that no matter who was left out it would not be he. The' public are wondering how avowed leaseholders like tho Hon*. Italian, Laurenson, and.Jill, are going to mix in legisla- ', tive amity with freeholders like the • Hons. T. Mackenzie,'.Myers, Macdonald, and Buxton. I.t.is ono of tho Parliameni ta,ry puzzles:,that tinio alone will solve,. Imt.it seems.to foreshadow another;at- :' tempt at'sustained "cbmpi'oni.iso on the ''land question. Some surprise was felt in 5 town that neither Mr. T. .11. Davey nor Mr. 0. Witty had.'becn included in'.tho ■■' new-Ministry. However, Mr. Davey was a l strong supporter of tho Hon. J. A. Millar ~ for the leadership of the party, and would ' : therefore expect nothing from the Hon. : T. Maickenzio. Air. Witty was offered a portfolio, but could not see his way to accept it;.: --■ ....'■ ._• . - , the labour * ' .another election in the near- .,.•;:, . -.future; ; - -'■'.•'.- - ;.- (By Telecranh— Special Correspondent.) \ '.'. Christchurch, March 29. -'■- Mr. 'G. R. Whiting, who was tho Labour-candidate for Christchurch South in opposition to the Hon. 11. G. Ell, had -same interesting comments to mako about . the new Cabinet. "Viewed from the .standpoint of I Labour;" Mr. Whiting said, "the new I Cabinet, is very Little, if any, better than ! the old- Cabinet. There may be a few ; Ministers Hive. Messrs. Laurenson and i Hanait-.-with progressive ideas, but on ; tho other hand,we havo a Prime Minister, '.who, I'understand, is , a . free-trader and ; freeholder. Thitt is not at all satisfactory •from our standpoint. As one who has taken i/'great-.interest;;.ih apolitical .qhes-;; „tions for many yeafsV and sis oho'desii'; 1 ous of seeing, conditions improved, for-the imasses, I do not think that any Ministry '.will ba satisfactory to the great body of , workers . than a Labour, Ministry.. The figh!t:of tho future must be-between /Labour and anti-Labour. .

■.'- Mr. Whiting said that he did not think that the Labour members would snpport . a general V no-confidence motion against ithe new Ministry unless tho defeat of the Government would .result in a.nioro progressive Ministry i taking charge.' ■ The new [Ministry appeared-,to be-'a-'compromise between, freeholders and ..leaseholders. Tie ' leaseholders could- expect.; 'nothing from the /Hon. ;T.'/.Mackenzie 'and the freeholders-, could not ' to, thoir goal; under a •Ministry., which I had appnrently'coinproniised 'on'.the, land question. His:opinion was that/matters pbli-* tical would remain in a very unsatisfac--tory condition until thero was another' appeal toitho .country. That, appeal, he believed, Sould "lfavo' to 'birniado in the near future.' .' . ■ :,• ;-, ■