THE Kaipara Advertiser, AND WAITEMATA CHRONICLE. WEDNESDAY, MARCH 20, 1912.

Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, 20 March 1912, Page 2

THE Kaipara Advertiser, AND WAITEMATA CHRONICLE. WEDNESDAY, MARCH 20, 1912.

A EULOGISTIC . CRITIQUE

The construction of a new Cabinet, and the appointing of a Premier to fill the place of Sir Joseph Ward, who, according to recent intelligence, has definitely decided "not even to accept a portfolio, gives rise to no little degree of surmise as to what will transpire in the near future. With the exception of the late Et. Hon. R. J. Seddon, no one has occupied the invidious position of Prime Minister of this Dominion for a longer period than has the ''Dreadnought " Baronet. At the same time it is only fair to state that, in our opinion, it will be an ex-

tremely difficult matter to find another who will prove himself to be so thoroughly adapted to his post, or as capable in the carrying out of multitudinous and onerous duties as has been Sir Joseph Ward. In the past he has often had to face the music of adverse criticism, and run'the gauntlet of public animosity; moreover, his ene nies have been many. But, it should be remembered that no individual parliamentarian, who, despite all, has taken up a firm stand in the teeth of widespread censure, is exempt 'from' having scurrilous foes ever ready to assume the cloak of agression. That he is a born -leader has been conclusively shown all along the line, and more especially since the Liberal Party were weighed An the balance and, eventually, not found wanting. His self-assertive confidence ; the perfect sangfroid with which he has. conducted the affairs appertaining to the raising of loans ; his consummate indifference to the exigencies of office, all has gone to mark him as the real Wizard of Finance, and the able administrator of fearless resolve. In- leaving the active scenes of pariamentary life, and in a measure disassociating himself from the arena of political events, there' are thousands who will much regret the decision at which Sir Joseph Ward has deemed it fit tq, arrive. We, however, predict that the day is not far distant when he will once again be the Prime Minister of New Zealand. So far as his successor is concerned, a good deal of speculation is rife, and several names have been mentioned, among them being Sir Arthur Guinness., Personally, we should like to see Mr A. M. Myers—the one-time popular Mayor or Auckland—as Premier, because he is a diplomatist of the first water, and a man in whom the masses would have implicit confidence. His claim, or the right of any other to the position must not be judged by parliamentary experience alone, but rather from the standpoint of general all-round ability. On the alternative, to suggest the name of Sir James Carroll, would of course, be absurd. When he took thereins of office as Acting Prime Minister not so long ago, the maladministrative tendencies of which he is possessed were only too apparent, and the tiasho policy was greatly in evidence. We are inclined to think that Sir Joseph Ward, Bart., will be yet prevailed upon to consider his decision in the interests of the country.