The Manawatu Herald. Saturday, November 14, 1908. FEDERAL POLITICS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXX, Issue 442, 14 November 1908, Page 2

The Manawatu Herald. Saturday, November 14, 1908. FEDERAL POLITICS.

The crisis that has taken place in Australian Federal politics was not unexpected. Mr Deakin, prime minister, has recognised that lie held office on the suffrence of the Labour Parly, aud subject at any moment to defeat. That the defeat has come has excited no wouder, and the only remarkable thing about it is that it has been so long in coming. The Government has been compelled to colour itslegislation to the pattern of the labour caucus or pass out. That it has done so for so many mouths is evidence that the members of the Government to-day either are largely sympathetic with labour proposals, or that they have been desirous to hold on to their poitfolios. For some time back it has been understood that Mr Deakin was becoming weary of the strain, and it was reported that he intended resigning his position at the earliest opportunity after Parliament mwl, and alt eyes were turned towords Sir William Lyne as his likely successor. There is no doubt, however, that such au arrangement would have been highly unpopular with a large sectiou of the House of Representatives and particularly with the Labour Party. Sir William is not a likely man to inspire confidence, for while in one sense a strong man, in another he is a political bully aud au impossible leader. It is probably this that has put the Labour Party in revolt, rather than any loss of confidence in Alfred Deakin. The Labour Party have now assumed the responsibilities of office, as Mr Fisher has accepted the responsibility of forming a ministry but as parlies are at present constituted, it requires no prophetic vision to Le able to declare that the Labour Parly, notwithstanding Mr Deakiu’s promise of nominal support, will have a short career. The House consists of three parlies neither of which can carry on the business of the country without the help of either of the other, and as a condition between either parties is at present extremely unlikely, the prospect of a general election in the near future is highly probable. Mr Fisher, the new prime minister, is a man of excellent qualities and a born leader, but his opportunities of showing of what stuff he is made will, we are sure, be of short duration.