THE NEW CABINET.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 235, 2 April 1912, Page 5

THE NEW CABINET.

THE MEMBER FOR OTAKI. By Telegraph—Press Association. Levin, Monday. Mr. Robertson, M.P. for Otaki, interviewed here, laughingly said he supposed he must get into line, as he noticed all the Labor members were being forced into print since the new Ministry had been announced. He considered it certainly the most Radical Ministry ever formed in New Zealand. While those already on the land could feel assured from the personnel of the Cabinet that farmers' interests would be promoted, the masses had also good reason to believe that problems such as the cost of living and the improvement of the machinery for the settlement of industrial disputes would be tackled with earnestness. On the whole the new Cabinet had as good a chance of carrying on as any Cabinet could have in the present state of parties. The Opposition's criticisms of the Mackenzie Cabinet would apply with even greater force to any possible Opposition Cabinet, for of necessity such a combination would comprise untried men. Mr. Robertson did not think it advisable that Labor should have a seat in the Cabinet this time. Concluding, he said that he had seen an interview with Mr. Payne, M.P:, telegraphed from Napier, regarding Mr. Payne's determination to vote against the Mackenzie Cabinet and support Mr. Massey, conditional on Labor being given Ministerial representation. Mr. Robertson doubted the statement, and said that from wltat he knew of Mr. Payne's views he was inclined to think Mr. Payne had been misrepresented.