THE NATIVE-BORN AND POLITICS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 1072, 20 July 1912, Page 3

THE NATIVE-BORN AND POLITICS.

Speaking on Monday evening at a reception at Lower Hutt, Sir Jas. Carroll is reported to have said that it was surprising that “the native-born’’ did not take greater interest in the affairs of their own country, and assist in moulding the destinies .of New Zealand. Commenting recently upon this statement, the Hon. F. M. B. Fisher remarked that Sir Jas. Carroll had evidently overlooked the fact that five members of the present Ministry—Messrs Bell, Rhodes, Herdman, Ur. Pomare, and Fisher —were all native-born New Zealanders. In addition to this, Mr Massey had resided in New Zealand for 42 years, Mr Allen and Mr Fraser had each resided in New Zealand for 54 years, and Mr Herries had been in New Zealand fo r 31 years.

“ I think it is the first time in the history of New Zealand,” said Mr Fisher, “ that there has been a preponderance of the native-born 'in the Cabinet, a fact which, so far as I have been able to see, has escaped the majority of the critics of the new Ministry. The day may come when we shall have a Cabinet of those who are New Zealand born, but in the meantime I think the young New Zealand parly ought to feel proud to know that at any rate they have secured a majority of the seats in the present Executive Council.” “ Perhaps,” concluded Mr Fisher, “ an indication as to the birth-places of the present Ministers may be of interest. Mr Massey was born at Londonderry, Mr Allen in South Australia, Mr Herries in London, Mr Fraser in India, Mr Herdman in Dunedin, Mr Bell in Nelson, Mr Rhodes in Lyttelton, Dr. Pomare in Taranaki, and myself in Wellington.”