NEW ZEALAND NEWS.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume 7, Issue 263, 5 August 1915, Page 5

NEW ZEALAND NEWS.

NATIONAL CABINET FORMED-

AN HISTORIC EVENT,

PARTIES EVENLY REPRESENTED

WELLINGTON, Aug. -1,

The House of Representatives mot at 2.30 p-21. formal business had been transacted, in full House and in the presence of crowded galleries, Mr. Massev rose and said he must ask the J-. diligence of the House to make a statement in regard to a subject not omy of interest'in Parliament, but to Lie public. He need hardly remind ttre people that for some, time past negotiations had been in progress the two main parties and the leaders of those parties. The object of tire conjcrencc was to fcrm_ a National Cabinet for carrying on the affairs of the country while the war was in progress. Negotiations went on for some time, but a week ago it looked as though they would fall through. Under ordinar--cireunistances he would have advised

his party to carry on even with a slender majority, and he believed that t l ' 0 ’ would have get through successfully and satisfactorily. The circumstance?-, however, were not ordinary. The Empire was passing through the most serious crisis in its history. Members would agree with him that it was impossble for the Government, with tmajority, to do all the work business required to bo done in order to enable the Dominion to do Irn duty to the Empire. That was practically the only reason for the formation of a National Cabinet. He hoped that what was being done would be advantageous both to -the Empire and to the country. It was not inappropriate, he thought, that the agreement should have been arrived at on the anniversary of the declaration of war. It was only right that he should mention his appreciation of the generosity of his colleagues and the party. Two of his colleagues had come forward and of-

fered their resignations in order to snake way for the formation of a National Cabinet. Ail his supporters, although some of them did not agree with what was being done, were per-

fectly satisfied to leave everything m his hands. With the concurrence of the Leader of the Opposition, they agreed upon a conference?- of the principal men from both sides of the

House, quite constitutionally, at 'the

request of His Excellency, to consider the proposal. Speaking generally, he say that the result of that conference was known to the members. They had arrived at o, basis (agreed «pon by both sides) upon which negotiations could continue for the formation of a Kationa! Cdbin'ht. The basis

which Ihev had agreed' upon, had been referred to caucuses of the respective parties. As far as he could learu, the

result of the party eaueauses had been the same in each case I—that 1 —that was to say, members agreed to stand to their respective leaders in the decisions they h-'d fr,T!’P tr>. He would not go into the details now, but the most important points wore as follows: He (Mr. TWocr—Tvr-ld continue as the Prime Minister. The Leader of the Opposition would control the portfolio of Finance. The Hon. James Allen would continue to control Defence. " i- The, representation from both sides of the House' would be equal He was not able to say what members the; new Cabinet would consist of but the European representation would be equal and. the Native member would continue to occupy the same position as he did now. He thought the working of tlic proposal would be successful. In the ordinary sense of the word' the proposal of equal! representation would perhaps startle the public; perhaps, also, some of the members; but he would say that the "Government, in their tenure of office,' never once had to take a division. He thought the National Government could continue on, similar lines. There were a numbed of details to be arranged. He proposed to ask Parliament to adjourn for a fortnight to work out the cetalls. Sir Joseph Ward stated that he wanted to add a few words to what the "Prime Minister had said. They were living in abnormal times, which requred abnormal changes to meet the circumstances. He wanted to say that but for the crisis there could be little doubt that the change that this, coqn : try was about to witness —the formation of a National Cabinet to carry on : the work on behalf of Parliament —- could not have eventuated. Ho wanted to make it clear, and he spoke for his side of the House, that he , did not regard the change as a coalition. He looked upon it as a National. Cabinet brought into existence .for the .purpose of enabling the country to .show united action to other parts of the world and to deal with matters directly affecting the war, without parly warfare. The ■whole position was due. to the enterjgepey facing the.Eaipirg during,.the ■war. He paid a tribute ,td-the . disinterested manner in which His Excel-, Iftncyj had conducted the conference, -an added that had a National Cabinet -aot been formed the country; would have feen faced with a dissolution, which at j£ e Preset juncture would have been Unthinkable, and he for on would not

have accepted the responsibility fo such a state of affairs. He recognised that it was in the best interests of the country to have no delay in vial matters. In hi.s. judgment no Government with a slender majority could with reasonable certainty and satisfaction meet the national needs in suc h a crisis as this. A strong Government was needed* —one that would have the help of Parliament as a whole, not only in matters of legislation, but of administration, at a time unique in the history of Empire. Referring to the basis of equality, Sir Joseph Ward remarked that the co-operative plan was cue of mutual concessions, instead of divisions, to enable the work to be carried j on. He recognised that Min- | ister* should retain the position of Leader of the Reform Party. He himself would retain the position of Leader of the Opposition. He- —and he was j perfectly certain others nitli him—would work loyally and zealously with the other party for the benefit of New Zealand and the Empire and to uphold the principles of freedom and justice on which the British Empire is founded. Mr. Payne, speaking with the indulgence of the House, said that though he was, not speaking for any party, ho, as a Laobur member, would express i the opinion that it was to the credit of the House that they had come to this arrangement at this time of crisis. Tie thought Labour throughout the Bominion would be doing well if it gave similar support. CIVIL LIST INCREASED. At the close of the statements by, the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition, th Civil List Amendment Bill was introduced by Governor’s Message. Mr. Massey, in moving the second reading, said that the Bill required little explanation. It provided for the appointment of two additional paid Ministers, making the Cabinet ten in number, and increasing the amount appropriated for salhries from £9,700 to £ll,lOO. The Bill was treated as a matter of urgency and passed all stages without discussion. SALARIES OF MINISTERS. WELLINGTON, Aug. 4., The new Act passed to-day provides for the following salaries: Prime Minister, £1,600; Minister for Railways, £1,300; eight other Ministers at £l,ooo each (£8,000), two Maori members of the Executive at £4OO each (£800). Dr. Pomare is the only Native representative holding such an office. It is provided that the Act may be repealed at any time by proclamation.

THE FARMERSi CONFERENCE

FAVOUR NATIONAL CABINET.

MARTIN, This Day

At the Farmers’ Union Conference when it seemed hopeless that political parties would agree, to form a National Ministry, a resolution was passed urging both : parties to-make another attempt to do so. When the National Minis tip- was announced yesterday, the President (Sir James Wilson) wired the Pmiier and Sir Josenh Ward ,on behalf of the Fanners’ Union, desiring to thank both, parties on having arGeed to form a National Ministry.

A FEILDING MAN’S APPEAL

FOR ADMISSION AS SOLICITOR,

APPLICATION DISMISSED.

WELLINGTON, This Day

The Appeal Court delivered judgment in th e matter of the application by John Edward Bayltrop, of Feilding, for admission to the Supreme Court as a solicitor.

The Chief Justice, in delivering judgment, said Counsel for the applicant had asked leave to withdraw the application; this could not be granted. The application' was dismissed with 20 guineas costs, His Honour (remarking that statements in affidavits filed by Mr Atkinson, as solicitor for applicant, together with thosei filed by the Law Society disclose matters that, in our opinion, require the serious attention of the Law Society.

A STARTLING DEFENCE ORDER.

AUCKLAND, This Day,

Notification has been, sent to 900 Aucklanders, Who' hay© enlisted, to parade at 9 a.m; on Augjist 18, and proceed;to Trejutliam by the noon train. , The -Mayor .(Mr, Gunson), says it is absolutely unconceivable that the Defence DepSfrtment, at this stagey should order 9.00; iron :to" proceed to' Trentham for ;traimnt. .•:••• r. i; . It ;\vas ■. more than ever difficult 5 td understands in' view of 'the'fact' that' th e Royal' Commission has hot completed Its.- tkd,‘ Minister for Defence,' 1 asking'if l the report is correct; If in Vi : ejw of recent conditions and present investigations* do you think, it a right course to direct these meiy'to go to Trentham. In view of the large number of men greeted to leavd! -Auckland and the large addtonal n^bete 1 Required in future, will you Consider forthwith, efr taldigblng a eaj&p in dw trfet in accordance with . th© Pri;t% Minister’s 'indication?