The Stratford Evening Post WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED THE EGM0NT SETTLER THURSDAY, JULY 5, 1915. A NATIONAL MINISTRY.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXVII, Issue 82, 5 August 1915, Page 4

The Stratford Evening Post WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED THE EGMONT SETTLER THURSDAY, JULY 5, 1915. A NATIONAL MINISTRY.

The announcement we were able to make yesterday that a National Ministry had been formed, will be received throughout the Dominion with the greatest satisfaction. The country certainly owes a debt of gratitude to His Excellency the (Governor lor bis good offices in the matter, for when Lord Liverpool exerted bis influence to bring about an amicable arrangement the outlook for agreement seemed ra-

ther hopeless. For two months there has been much backing and filling and those at least who were not actively

engaged in the political game saw much evidence of tlie selfishness ol Party, instead of that broad spirit which the country lias a right to look for in this greatest crisis in our great Empire’s life. The Government did not desire to let go any 01 the sweets ol office and tile Opposition leaders appeared anxious for the fullest Party recognition. However, the stage ol agreement lias been reached and there is some chance that, tor the nonce, the narrowness and self-seeking oi Party will be lost sight of and a real Government for the people and ol the people direct the country’s course. That the Hon. Air -Massey should re-

tain the leadership of the House as Premier is quite right and proper by reason of the fact that' his Party, no matter how precarious its position may have been, was actually in power. It is equall -' right and proper that Sir Joseph Ward should take charge of that most important of folios Finance for apart from his position in politics and his wide experience, a more able .Minister of Finance could not be found in New Zealand to-day. though doubtless manv heaven-born ones.

I mill inside and outside the House, would like to try their hands at the game. The number ol’ Minister-, -.-ill he increased to ten, and the cost and burden of administration thus becomes it little heavier for this ov«rgoverned country to bear, but if harmony and work take the place ol mere wrangling and personal quarrels the country will pay cheerfully enough. Whether the experiment now being tried will be impressive enough to cause the country to throw over for ever that accident of intrigue—the Party system, remains to he seen, but it is almost too mi: h to hope for. One ■ lung is (■(■ ■trin. e h time has non hoy « is*-.. i ; pi p .p-• -nt must e;et to work a,id fl<'■ • I ■ 'I 1 - i!i mailers of paramount importance as the war demands.