THE Kaipara Advertiser, AND WAITEMATA CHRONICLE. WEDNESDAY, APRIL 3, 1912. THE POLITICAL OUTLOOK.

Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, 3 April 1912, Page 2

THE Kaipara Advertiser, AND WAITEMATA CHRONICLE. WEDNESDAY, APRIL 3, 1912. THE POLITICAL OUTLOOK.

Very recently when advocating the cause of a Premier to fill the serious gap made oy the retirement of Sir Joseph Ward, we alluded to tho possibility of Mr A. M. Myers being chosen as Leader of the Great", Liberal Party, and now, in accordance with the construction of the new Cabinet, it will be seen that we were not far out of our reckoning, inasmuch that the popular ex-mayor of Auckland has been chosen for the triple capacity of Minister of Finance, Railways, and Defence, thus occupying the high position of second place to the chief of administration —the Hon. T. Mackenzie. This fact speaks for itself. At the same time we feel compelled to state that notwithstanding the various opinions expressed, the newly elected Prime Minister, while having made a clean sweep of the former administrators, has not, we think, enhanced his reputation. At a first glance people, as a rule, are too impulsive and inclined to shower congratulations upon a new Ministry, and such is an anachronism. We predict—and not without due reason — that although the Hon. gentleman, under discussion, may have proved himself to be an adept in the art of agricultural pursuits, he will, we fear, fail signally to plough up the ideals of true Liberalism. Further, the not improbable contingency of an ealry dissolution of Parliament, and a fresh election in July or August next, may be taken almost as a foregone conclusion. As we have previously asserted, the Baronet's position as a private member of the House is only temporary, and eventually he will again step into the breach and take his place as Prime Minister. This is the one thing that will save the situation. Sir Joseph Ward, has/by his inopportune retirement, thrown the Party, in whose interests he has laboured so heroically, into the throes of misplaced confusion. Alternatively, had the Opposition • been put in power, the outcome would have been the same. The planks of their 1911 platform were based on the foundation of "Utopia Limited," and Mr Massey and his followers could not have continued in the lines proposed. The question of Labour representation also arises. However, in the event of another election, this would not undermine the chances of Sir Joseph Ward. We do not desire to obliterate the existence of the Hon. T. Mackenzie, or the members of the present Cabinet, without giving them a fair and impartial trial. There are solid grounds for the supposition that when Parliament meets in June, the sequel will reveal itself, but we still hope that the expense and vexatious trouble of another election will be avoided, and the country's progress not impeded.