Manawatu Herald THURSDAY, MARCH 7, 1918. UNITY IN THE CABINET.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XL, Issue 1798, 7 March 1918, Page 2

Manawatu Herald THURSDAY, MARCH 7, 1918. UNITY IN THE CABINET.

IT is an open secret that Cabinet is not a happy family. The Post, commenting on this fact, says: 1 “There has been no open rupture, hut there is evidence of strained relations and of the lack of that mutual forbearance which has been displayed in such full measure by the leaders, and without which all their efforts may he brought to nought. We hope that the rank and tile of the Cabinet will realise that the lesson which Wellington North Ims so deeply impressed upon the country is one which cannot Ikv ignored by (he Cabinet itself, and that, on the contrary, it is an obvious and imperative obligation of (heir public trust that they should take the lesson to heart and follow it with punctilious care. Parliament meets next month, and perhaps before the month is out Mr Massey and Sir Joseph Ward will start on their Imperial mission. Are personal differences in (he Cabinet to h<r allowed to jeopardise the success of lliis momentous enterprise ? We do not suppose that there is a member of the Cabinet who would not have regarded the return of Mr Holland for Wellington North as a very unfortunate result. Yet the presence of a Red Federationist in Parliament might well be less disastrous than the persistence of bickerings and mutual distrust in the Cabinet. We trust that the lesson of'Wellington North and the example of the two leaders will not be lost upon their colleagues, and that the evil spirit of dissension will be exorcised in time to allow Mr Massey and Sir Joseph Ward to face first their Parliamentary task and then their Imperial mission with easy minds and clear consciences.”