PRESS AND OTHER OPINIONS.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1490, 12 July 1912, Page 6

PRESS AND OTHER OPINIONS.

"A/ STRONG MINISTRY OF ABLE . MEN." . VIEWS OF THE CHRISTCHURCH ■'■. • ' "PRESS." ' " (By Trtegraph.—Bpeclni Oorrassonflent.) . Christchurch, July 11. TlLe Press":expresses thOj'opinion that even-those fr'ho are not'i'n'a'cco'rd"with the" politics of tho Prime Minister will agree that he has teen fortunate in forming a strong Ministry of able men. Its personnel is such as will command confidence and respect beyond the confines of New Zealand.'and this is a matter for congratulation, seeing that in these Imporial days our politics have lost their purely local character, and the standing of a country is very largely ganged by the qualifications of those who take a prominent part in its public life. The "Press" points out that fonr of the new Ministers are University, men, and adds that it does not _ think any previous New Zealand Cabinet has had so many members bearing tho halj-mark of a liberal ■ education: This, in itself, 6hould be a guarantee that the cause of education, the most precious possession of a Democratic country which has teen allowed to drift perilously near to the quicksands of inefficiency in New Zealand, will once more receive the attention which its importance demands. Above and beyond the educational etatu9 of some of its members is the fact that they are all of,a high standard of probity and intelligence, men who have taken a vigorous part in tho public life of thn country, and we feel sure will never rest until they secure a high standard of efficiency in the public service.. The distribution of portfolios, although it is still subject to some modification, strikes us as being very judicious so far ; as it has gone. After referring to' the particular qualifications Massey, Mr. Allen, and Mr. Herries tor tho portfolios of which they have charge, the: "Press" goes on to say: "Some surprise will perhaps be felt that the Attorney-Generalship goes to Mr. A. L. Herdman, and not to Mr. H. D. Bell, K.C., who has accepted tho portfolio of Internal Affaire in conjunction with the Leadership' of the Legislative Council. Mr. Bell is not only leader of the Wellington Bar; but is admitted by tho profession throughout tlie Dominion to be one of' its , most distinguished members. It is another illustration of the self-ab-negation shown by the Eteform party, generally in sinking their own personal feelings for the interests of the cause that Mr. Bell has-waived his undoubted claims and allowed the Attorney-General-ship to go to a younger member of the profession. Of Mr. Herdman it is /mly to be said that his untiring energy and tho great ability he tas shown in tho 'cause of Reform have fairly earned for him tho high position in which he now finds • himself." After eulogising Mr. Fraser and Mr. Rhodes, the "Press" adds. "There is a rather striking coincidence in the fact that Mr. F. M. B. Fisher, who is the -new Minister for. Customs and Marine, succeeds to a position in the Cabinet which at one time was held by his father. Ho is an alert and effective-' debater, and vigorous and attractive platform speaker, in both of which capabilities he has done great service to his party. He has now an opportunity such as seldom falls to so young a man of proving what he can do in the less showy but more valuable work of administrating an important Public Department, and we havo every confidence that he will prove worthy of his trust. Dr. Pqinare, as a medical ma/i working among his own people, has. had exceptional opportunities of learning what are their chief wants, and how they can best be benefited. Ho ought, therefore, to pvove an excellent representative of the Maori race." : .

A;N OPPOSITION OPINION. WHAT THE "LYTTELTON TIMES" SAYS. - (By Telegraph—Special Correspondent.) Christchurch, July 11. The "Times" remarks that. Ho one eicept perhaps a few disappointed , aspirants for office will find much fatilt with the personnel of the Ministry-formed by Mr. M.issey. It is fairly representative, as it should be, of course, of the party that has just established its supremacy in Fiie House of Kopiesentatives, and though none of its members lias had any previous Ministerial, experience, they all have obtained Fomi! riipnsiire'of distinction ns nctive and capable politicians. The representatives of the workers do not appear pleastd by tho prospect of Mr. Massey heiu!? at the hend of the Labour Department, but it is difficult to find among his colleague?, or even among his supporters in the House, anyone who would have beaii better qualified for the position. Of Mr. .Tamos- Allen, the "Times" «ays that he hns all his troubles More him, and yet. lias to provo his"ability to hear tho heavy.burden that has been placed upon his shoulders': but he has made a special study of tho fiiiSnces nf the country, and though h» has novel- displayed fn tinn nny intimate' acriuaintanco. with the subject, lie Hi k?p.t «| hi§,

knowledge in reserve. Unless responsibility leads him to considerably modify his views on defence, the anti-militarists will ,sdoii bo drawing comparisons that will not be altogether unfavourable to his predecessor. Tho opinion is expressed that probably Mr. Herries's radical instincts will do more than anything elso to keep his chief up to his professions of Liberalism. Mr. Herdman has won his way into the Cabinet by his readiness in debate, rather than by any solid achievement, and lie must bo numbered with Mr. Rhodes and Mr. Fisher among tho Ministers who still have to justify their promotion. On personal grounds, Mr. Rhodes'*; appointment will bo cxlromely populaT in tho Hou?o and in Canterbury, but it is just ns well for Hie new Postmaster-General that the keen edge of comparison was somewhat dulled before ho was called upon to succeed Sir Joseph Ward. Mr. H. D. Bell has taken no public part in politics for soinc years, and what the man in tho street remembers of him is that ho was rather too much of a partisan to make an ideal leader of the Legislative Council, but he is a very able lawyer, a good logical debater, if not n. brilliant speaker, and a tactful, cultured gentleman. As a whole, the Cabinet is very nearly the best that Mr. Massey could have formed from the material at his disposal, and tho members of the new Opposition will have at least the satisfaction of knowing that, they have arrayed against them a combination of talent entirely worthy of their most earnest efforts in the way of criticism nnd revision.

THE DISTRIBUTION OF PORTFOLIOS "TRIED AND TRUSTED COLLEAGUES." . (From Our Special Correspondent.) Auckland, July 11. In the course of its leader to-day the "Herald" eays:—Tho • personnel of the new Ministry is not only a complete answer to those supercilious critics who professed to fear that Mr. Massey would be unable to form a satisfactory Administration, but offers a much needed example to future statesmen who may bo tempted to adopt the opportunism which prolonged the life, .but destroyed tho reputation, of the Continuous Government. In forming his Cabinet Mr. Massey lias unconsciously demonstrated the frankness of his character and. his wholehearted determination to stand or fall upon the intrinsic work of his political conceptions. Parliamentary conditions are so' doubtful and so involved that a weaker party leader might easily have been, tempted to buy support by the distribution of portfolios/ upon opportunist lines. Mr. Mnssey has made no such fatal error. Ho has assigned tie Cabinet seats at his disDosal to tried nnd trusted colleagues and to none others. What is more, ho has distributed. them by merit. Ho has the satisfaction of knowing . that he is nt tho head of an Administration which is unanimous in its devotion to reform principles • and ,is thus free to exercise its : abilities and energies without being weighed down by the depressing influence of internal indifferences and animosities. Those who are not yet avowed supporters, of the, new Government, but are sincerely desirous of sound government and honest administration .could have no greater enoouragement to throw their , l e }? llt , to tho side of reform than the* Cabinet-making of Mr. Massey.-

NOTHING FLIMSY. SOLIDARITY OF THE REFORM PARTY. There is nothing flimsy, experimental, or, amateurish about the personnel of the. Massoy Ministry. The new Prime Minister was not, troubled by..any paucity of available- material. His difficulty was rather, too abundant supply of men capa »'e m of undertaking the responsibilities ot omee. It is not too much to say that Mr. Massey could easily have formed two strong Cabinets-bdth ■ stronger than any combination which has occupied the Government benches during the Inst twenty-one years—and still have had some good men left over. It is to his credit as a party leader, as well as to tho rank and hie of the party, that he was able to so speedily make : his selection and announce the constitution.,of; his Cabinet. No greater evidence of the-solidarity of tho Reform.party could bo desired than the freedom from restraint with which Mr. Massey was enabled to complete his task. Men who have rendered long and faithful service, and who wero entitled to insist upon having their claims considered voluntarily stood aside rather than embarrass their trusted leader, and there was no sign of the petty personal rivalries such as were so unpleasantly conspicuous a few weeks ago' when the CTumbling forces of the erstwhile dominant party tried to evade compliance with the verdict of the country by the process of Cabinet reconstruction.—Wanganui "Chronicle."

BROAD, SOUND LIBERALISM. "LET HIM GOVERN. AND WIN." Discussing Mr. Massey and his opportunity, the "Hawke's Bay Tribune" eays: "The lessons of his rich experience are not to be ignored; and he will take what is best and truest of the principles of broad, sound Liberalism,' and. leave the gew-gaws and expedients, tho majority mongering and- extravagance behind. Equal opportunity for all, in. all walks of life, and especially in providing the opportunity for people to get on the land are" to be the main efforts of his Government, and, thesp provided, the Dominion with its unrivalled natural resources'will travel rapidly along the highway of prosperity and bring its people to peace and contentment. The opportunity is for Mr. Massey, the hour is favourable, let him go in and win."

PARTY WILL GAIN STRENGTH. REFORMS AT LAST. The result of the voting is sufficient to ensure the Reform party a definite,terra of office. While the Reform party providos sound administration and proposes progressive measures, it is certain, not only to retain the votes it obtained-in the momentous division, but also to gain additional strength. From the text of thß Reform party's platform, it will be seen that what Mr. Massey and his colleagues propose is for the benefit of the country. Under a Reform Government the people will have the comfort of knowing that at last the country's finances will be placed on a proper footing, that at last a realieft'ort will be made to open Tip the waste/lands of tho country upon a satisfactory form of tenure, that at last the Nativo lands will be settled, ami that at last wo shall get reform in the Legislative Council, the Civil Service, and in local government. All these reforms have been badly wanted, and without them tho country cannot hope to go on much longer.—Fahiatua "Herald." .

A GOOD SIGN. AN■ AUSTRALIAN OPINION.By Teleeripli—Pioe3 Association—Copjrizht • Sydney, July 11. Commenting on the political situation in New Zealand, the "Daily Telegraph" says: "Solidity seems the distinguishing characteristic of tho new Government .in Now Zealand. Jtr. Massey has f orined a Cabinet from his own party; ethically that is a good sign, since it proves that there has been no bargaining for office. How it turns out politically is what we have to see."

CHHISTCHURCH COMMENT. ! A STEADYING INFLUENCE. (By Teleeraph.—Special Carressondcnt.l Christchurch, July 10. ' Comment in the city on tho now Cabinet was generally favourable. The commercial community, which was uneasy during the long period of political unrest, is now inclined to tako a more optimistic view of the situation. "Mr. Ma<ssoy seems to have made an excellent selection," said one business man, ''and T think \\« may look forward "••t.li eohfideiice to the. future. It is e. Ministry which will inspire public confluence, ami 1 think that, if it is given an. opportunity, it will do good work." Similar opinons were expressed by other representative commercial men. One expressed his conviction that the advent of the New Ministrv had come at a very opportuue tiino. The Dominion verv badly wanted a steadying influence in its political arena. The new Ministry was a Ministry which stood firmly for well defined principles and wero not likely to be swayed by ©very breezo that blew'. Tho disposition of portfolios was generally rottiirdod with satisfaction nnd the con---011=115 of opinion was that the ii<mv Ministry would a) conduct the .ifffiirs of \ht _yo(ojiiioa as to merit a contiuuQure oi-

[ the confidence which had been reposed in A member of the Dofcnco Fore© expressed his satisfaction with the appointment of Mr. Allen as Minister for Defence "Ho is an old volunteer, knows the game from beginning to end, nnd is not likely to 'be swayed by tho anti-militarist faction. Ho js ono of the best." "Mr. Jlnssey has to continue to give as much as previous Administrations " said a union secretary. "Ho is going to remain in power. The Keform party will give us as much legislation as any other party, but I am doubtful as to their ad■mimstration. I expect ;to see a progressive party in power within the next five years. Naturally the Civil Sen-ants have been greatly interested, m the composition of tho new Ministry, and it is with the greatest satisfaction that they welcomed the advent of the new regime. "It lias been more than n. relief to us," said one of them to a "Press" reporter. ."Wo are in strong hopes now that the stringent regulation forbidding us to give public news to the press wi); be relaxed." Other members of the service looked forward engerlv to the appointmenfof a Civil Pervico Board, which they now consider a foregone conclusion, though as one of them said: fle may not bo quite so keen on it now, as under the new Government many of the burdens under which we are suffering are sure to be removed " The members of the police force hailed with great satisfaction the appointment of Mr. Herdman as Minister for Justice considering him to be the very best man for tho position that could be obtained and tho railway son-ants of all grades are also pleased with the-appointment of Mr Hemes to the Railway portfolio.

DEPARTING,MINISTER FARE. Before the House met on Wednesday, Mr. b. XV. Russell was met and farewelledby a number of the principal officers in the Departments, which he controlled as- a member of the Mackenzie Cabinet. About fifteen officials were present. Mr. Russell expressed the pleasure that ho had experienced in conducting tho work of the Departments, and said that his only regret on leaving was that he had not had time to carry into effect various proposals that he" had had in view. He paid a tribute to the Civil Service in general, and said that, so far as the Departments with which he had been connected wm-e concerned, he was quite prepared to meet any criticism that might be brought against them. Several of the Departmental officers replied. They paid a tribute to the energy and ability which Mr. Russell had shown as a Minister, and expressed appreciation of the stimulation which he had imparted to the work of tho Departments. . Before they dispersed, the officials sang, "For he's a jolly good fellow," and gave three cheers for Mr. Russell.