The Daily News SATURDAY, DECEMBER 16. THE BRITISH CABINET.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 8005, 16 December 1905, Page 2

The Daily News SATURDAY, DECEMBER 16. THE BRITISH CABINET.

Aran enduring tlio shades of Op[losition for a considerable pen id, the Liberal Party in Great iritai'i have once more returned to power, with Sir Henry Campbell-liannerman as Prime Minister. The changes that have taken place in their ranks have been many, but they still possess men of the right stamp to do honour to the traditions of the past ami mould the future destinies of the Motherland. 1 lie Prime Minister has displayed much creditable tact and foresight in the selection of tile Ministry, which, it is universally agreed, lias the meiit of being thoroughly rcpresen tative. This augurs well for the country, as it will inspire confidence in all sections of the community, be sides being a source of satisfaction to foreign countries. So far as the colonics are concerned there is every cause to be satisfied with the appointment of Lord Elgin (ex-Gover-nor of India) as Colonial Secretary. He is a statesman of tried ability, and tliore is every reason to expect that he will worthily fill the ollico which the Hon. A. Lyttelton has just, vacated.

* * * * Tuk recognition of the L ibour Party by the appointment of Mr John Burns as Secretary of the Lical Government Board denotes a new departure in British politics, and proves that the Liberals of the Unite J Kingdom have not studied in vain the march of events both ttierc and in the colonics. It must not be forgotten, however, that the John Burns of to-day is far different from the John Burns who twenty years ago stoc 1 as a Socialist candidate for Nottingham, and obtained only 59s vofes for his pains. Yet we cannot forget tl.at ne was o.ie of tauso wiio i.i ItMG 7 took a prominent part in the unemployed agitation which endoi i;i a riot at the West End, or that lie was imprisoned f.j, six weeks for resisting the police while contestin < the right of public .i.eitiiyin Trafalgar Sin.re. The .e w, re his " fieiv " days, ivhen be was pultin" his feet on the lad ;e.' of faun as a Lilkmii' leid.i:-. His .s-ib-vijiunt career has redeemed t!.e in !iv.va:ions of his euly yens, mil i.i is great vict'ry for the d .ckers in their long struggle for an extra sixpence a day he achieved a sarce.vi that place! him ia the forefront of Labour organisers, and he has long been regard ,1 as an authority an I adviser on the affairs of the wage earners. Jt, is somewhat curious that the cause which first brought him inLo prominence the unemployed agitation—should bo the burning question of the day in which lie has become a Minister of .State, There is no doubt that this has been a factor ill his appointmont and his intimate knowlege of the hardships of the workers should lie of great assistance to the Cabinet in dealiii<r with the question. * * * t

ItRNISn to another important apI'oiutuicut -that of Chief .Secretary tor lioliiml ]i<» fitUii- choice cuul I have hecn ni.'i'lo than that of the Right Hon. .James ]S:-y,'o. To a matked extent lie posse ses war.y ui (he characteristics of his departed chief Gladstone. A finished scholar of wide rangr-, a distinguished university professor, a great leputatioij : n?an author of classic literature, a : proved statesman, and ahove all a I keen sympathiser with tlie Irish poo- ' (pie, and with nil the projects for the (uplifting of humanity, lie brings to y.jar on the duties of his office a I - k 1

wealth of mental power and administrative ability that should strengthen the Government most materially. He was a strong supporter of Home Rule in 1866, and there is little doubt that when this long-vex. 1 question is brought within the range of practical politics that his voice and advocacy will be on the side of the Irish.

Therr is little that neclbesaid of the other mem bars of the Government beyond the fact that there is an element of stability in tlio Ministry as a whole that should ensure, in all i mportant mattci-s of policy with the great Powers and the colonies, that there will be no disturbing influence at work, but rather that continuity which is so desirable in the best interests of the Empiro. Lord Rosebery, though standing aloof and under the circumstances wisely so—will doubtless be a staunch ally of the Government. His attitude is well understood, and until after the general election, when the verdict of the country will be pronounced on the fiscal question, it is far better for him to stand aside. The new administration will certainly be watched with interest all over the globe, and it will be somewhat curious if the Old Country should follow in the footsteps of Now Zealand, and pronounce in no n'ggaidly fashion its faith in the principles of Liberalism by returning such a majority of Government supporters as will enable the party to be independent of the Irish members and their one-sided support. It will not be surprising to find that more thou one of the Acts on the Statute Book of New Zealand will b« taken as li model by the Bannennan Government. With the piosprct of peace abroad for some years to come, the English Government may well devote their time and energies to those internal afl'airs that nocd attention. flie tasks muv be difficult, but so much the greater will bo the credit when they are performed and some of the existing ills mile. lied.