COMMONWEALTH DESTINIES.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVI, Issue 191, 17 August 1904, Page 2

COMMONWEALTH DESTINIES.

G. H. REID TO HOLD THE] REINS. Sill GEO. TURNER .101X8 lUM. MELHOURNE, August 10. Lord Northcoto considered a dissolution was not justilied iii tlic circumstances, and accepted tin.- (iovurniuei)t's resignation conditionally on its holding olilec until its Ministers' successors were aiJi)oiuti'd. Unasked, Mr Watson gave an opinion in regard to his successor. Mr Hoid is busy forming a Ministry, lie ) .-'i a lon S conference with Mr Deakin, ;. :A discussed the situation as affectum by a coalition. Mr Ueakin will adhere to his previous decision not to uccept ollice in any Ministry formed us the result of a coalition.

It is understood that Mr Reid intends to include in his Ministry four of Ids owji party and tow Deakinites. It is expected ho will announce Uie names oa Woducsjday. Mr Keid has announced tilvat Sir George Turner luis definitely consunt.d to join. h»n>, Mr Walloon promises Mr Reid every consideration, and hopes Uu! inembers will not strew tacks in the way of his cycle, 110 docs not think Mr Reid will be able to carry on owing to tho discordant elements in tlio party lie leads. PROSPECTS OF A COALITION. " AN ACT OE PARTY POLITICAL PERFIDY."

(Received August 18, 10.48 p.m.) MELROURNE, Adgust 10. The Age declares that if any Protectionist joins Mr Reid the coalition would be such an act of parly political perlidy us no organisxjd l)od.v could afford to forget. No Protectionist should sully his escutcheon by allying himself with a man and a cause decisively rejected by the county- . ~

The Argus approves of a coalition, ami says ; " The ilecal question is definitely sot aside for this Parliament, at leant toy all but a very small section, who are refusing it in the hope of embarasslng Mr Reid." ■ MR REiD'S PROGRESS. TRIUUTE TO MR WATSON'S WORK. (Received August 17, 0.56 a.m.) MELUOL'RNK, August 16. Mr Held is making good progress in forming his Cabinet, but does not expect tp complete it before next Thursday. Mr Watson has consented to Mr Hoid's suggestion, to move, when the House meels to-morrow, an adjournment till Thursday. Sir George Turner, who will be Treasurer in the new Ministry, states that in consequence of the forwardness of Mr Watson's preparation he will be able to deliver his Budget In throo weeks.