Greymouth Evening Star. AND BRUNNERTON ADVOCATE. WEDNESDAY, JULY 24, 1901. THE POSITION.

Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 24 July 1901, Page 2

Greymouth Evening Star. AND BRUNNERTON ADVOCATE. WEDNESDAY, JULY 24, 1901. THE POSITION.

The result of the discussion on the Elective Executive Bill has shown that, notwithstanding its reputed strength and the absence of an organised Opposition, it was only by the “ skin of its teeth,” so to say, that the Governmsnt was saved from defeat. The Government, notwithstanding all the efforts of the Whips and the exertions of the Ministry, could only count upon, according to the ’Whips report, a narrow majority of four against the Bill. Therefore, it was resolved not to allow it to go to a division, but to kill it on the motion for adjournment. It was a near shave, but by a fluke the adjournment was carried and a ministerial defeat averted. Very often by flukes of this nature thn fate of governments are decided, and it was by a side wind in the shape of a vote by Mr Brodrick on the question of Army Beform that the Liberal Government was defeated, and the Conservative Government of Earl Salisbury came into power. It is not so much upon vital questions, when each party is strung up to its uttermost, that the fate of governments often depends. It is upon the side issues. The Elective Executive Bill was not an important policy measure—it was merely a question as to the constitution of the Ministry whether it shou d be chosen by the Premier, or by the House. It

was an experiment and perhaps would not result in harmony, as the members so chosen might not, and probably would not, agree on many questions. It was a blow at the autocratic power wielded by the Premier, and he felt it as such, and hence the resolve of Mr Seddon to either defeat it with something like a substantial majority or kill it. He soon discovered that it was hazardous to trust to a vote and so he resolved to kill it, and killed it was to all intents and purposes, but it has left its sting behind it. We do not mean to say that the present Government is in any real danger as the Premier is to) good a general as not to know the men he has to deal with. Should it come to a real critical question the Government is bound to win. It would not pay to push him to extremities at present and this the Premier knows better than anyone else. It is a simple commercial transaction from beginning to end, But there is something more behind it. It is an open secret that the Premier in company with the Native Minister, the Hon J. Carroll, will go home to attend the Coronation of the King, and that Sir Joseph Ward, the Postmaster-General, will fulfill the post of Premier during Mr Seddon’s absence. Sir Joseph Ward is the one strong man in the Ministry, It has always been the forte of Mr Seddon to bo associated with one strong man at least, as evinced in the persons of Hon W. P. Reeves, Sir John M‘Kenzie, and lately Sir Joseph Ward. The first named was too ambitious and too clever, therefore he was appointed Agent-General. The second was a man something after the Premier’sown heart, and although extremely master ful, possessed no tact and was therefore unsuited for the position of leader, but with Sir Joseph Ward the case is altogether different. The Premier has stood his friend in troublous times, and Sir Joseph is not the man to forget it; but politics is a very peculiar game to play with. Should the Premier go Home, of which there is little doubt, and should he return to New Zealand, which is a debateable question, will Sir Joseph Ward be prepared to su#ender his leadership. There is not much doubt as to the fitness of the Postmaster-General for the position, as he possesses all the essentials requisite for it and is popular both in the House and out of it, while bis ability in matters of statecraft is unquestioned, and in some respects he is better fitted for the position than even, the Premier himself. Whether he will succeed Mr Seddon and retain the position in the event of the latter’s return to the colony is a subject that would require a very good prophet to prophesy with any certainty of success.