National Cabinet.

Taranaki Daily News, 30 July 1915, Page 6

National Cabinet.

(*;• !■ i;iio Ki-. ! )Kn:i.i). t LnVKiiXMLXT'S -pooh v. ;;," ' ..km,™, i i :«l"i.'.\iL;< uv ;>i-:(:oti.V!'l('Xs. liy Telegraph.---JYcss Assonalion Weilhiyifou, Ycsiord'.y. ',,.;.-.,1 between' the I'icmicr and tin' ].: ailer of ilii' Uppcitioll, nil till' subject mC the National Cabinet, liii.s biv.'i handed to tlic pi-i'.-s fiir publication: ■- iVi:i-.i- MiuUo:- - -; okice, Vwilim;U;:i ■ Inly .'.7 th. I'.H'i. Dear Mr .loM'ph,--!;oforrii>e- to mr .oiiveia-aiii :i r;f yi'.-i.cr.liiy, i'ml to tieproposal to form a National C u crniuonl ti> carry cm I hi' bu-iuc.;s i;l' tile Dominion until the termination of tin' war, I h:i-.o ibi-idid. oil bck.ilf of tin; Coeenimon, l'iirty, to .-übmit tlic following proposals for your consideration:- (1 I '1 he prop.ir-' tioii' from I'licli side of tho House in (he .National Ministry to )>,• as follow.,: r'roin tin- Covcriiiiicnf side six ra.;-mb"i-s. includinc. the mcmla r of the e..icii(iv.' r: pr'sentiup; tl;:- Native r.iei', v.!i;j will hulil Cabinet rank; from tin- U; position -.•ile live membi rs: ami (:•!) myself to be ,"riino Minisiu- and also take the portfolio of Defence, anil the lion. Mr. Allen to hold t!ie portfolio of Miiancr-. ('!, We i-aiiii.it sec our wav to accept your Mi»;;i'Stm;i that there should be live members from eaeli side, without the l'rime Minister possessm;,' a easting Mite, or without il:r> representative of the Native race bein},' allowed to exereise a vote. (■)) There are several details which it is unni'ci'Siiury to mention at present, but in event of a byo-elec-tion during the period of National <!(>••- oriimeut, the practice followed in lirittiiin should be followid in New Zealand, viz., that I lie vacant seat should go to a representative selected by the party to which the former member lieloneid, and that both parties should join in sup- | porting the candidate so elected —I am, I yours sincerely (signed) \V. V. .Massey.

Loader of Opposition's oilier, Wellington, July 2Sth, 1915. Dear Mr. Massoy, —1 beg <o acknowledge receipt of your letter of •.'7th iiisl,., which i received after the House rose last night. Regarding your proposals for the formation of a National Cabinet to carry on the business of the country itnlil the termination of the war, permit me to remind you that your tir-t pr.-posal to me was that a National Cabinet should be formed in the following proportions:—Fran the Government Party six; from the Opposition Party three. This proposal 1 submitted to a meeting of the Opposition Party held on duly Uth, and it was rejected as an unfair proposal, seeing that (he parties in the House were practically equal in number. I was authorised to submit to you an alternative proposal, which was unanimously agreed to, the full resolution of the caucus, which was duly banded to you, being as follows:—"That Mr. Massey be informed that the Opposition considers bis offer of constituting a National Caibinet with fix. Government -nienvbers and three Opposition ci-emfccrs unfa'r, teeing the Opposition is practically equal to the Government party in point of numbers. The Opposition is desirous of assisting the Government in war matters, and es an alternative to Mr. Masse;/'* proposal suggest such assistance could be bclt.T rendered if the powers of the Secret Defence Ccnunihteo -were extended during the war, and in connection therewith to enable the Administration to more effectually deal with the present crisis, the Opposition is of opinion that the oxtension of the powers and functions o' the Secret Defence Committee, so as to cover administration, would meet the position, leaving the Government of the day in possession of its full constitutional responsibilities, as regards policy and administrative Acts, apart from tluwe connected with the war." After consideration of this proposal your next suggestion to me was that a National Cabinet be fixed upon the basis of live Government members to four Opposition members, the representative of 'M Maori race in addition remaining a member of the Executive. A meeting of the Opposition party was duly convened l.y me, and held on July 21st.'the result oeing the adoption of the following resoia- ■ tion: "That the Opposition, while le-. sirous of rendering every possible assistance in connection with the war, as is evidenced by the facilities to the Government for passage of their legislation, finds that some of the difficulties in the way of a formation of a National Cabinet which presented themselves when the question was last considered, have been accentuated since that time. We believe the best interests of the Dnmaiion can be served by the Government giving effect to our previous suggestion, namely, that they should call to their assistance, without Ministerial status, the services of the five Opposition members of the Secret Defence Committee, who are desirous and willing, on behalf of the Opposition, to help in Defence administration in any way in which their services may be available." This resolution T handed to you, and your letter of 27th inst., which f am now reviewing, is the answer. Your latest proposal, contained in the letter to which 1 am now referring, sets out that a National Cabinet should comprise six members from the Government Party and li.e | from the Opposition Party, and this proposal is also open to most scrioUh objection. In our conversation 1 indicated to you that the proposed National Cabinet', if constituted, should be for the currency of the war. and for war purposes ojily, and that all contentious legislation should be avoided, with O.i.' exception that I suggested the passing o: legislation this session to deal with the cost of living, and legislation dealing with anomalies that exist in the Legislative Council Act, lul4, in regard to its operation after January next. The elimination of all contentious legislation, with the two exceptions to which 1 have referred, would make the Cabinet for the time being noli party, and it would be able to devote itsel'f unitedly to the country's sole interests from a war and financial standpoint. It must not be forgotten that most important, taxation proposals are imminent: taxation rendered necessary bv the war ami ren-i/.ris- and also owing to the serious'eonditi f the iinaic-es of the Dominion. Therefore it is impossible for the Opposition to commit tbcmsehv* to the proposal for a National Cabinet with a prc-cxisteiit majority on the G >■ vennent side. Thi- majority of oncaold insist upon taxation pronosals which uiiuht be at variance with the ' pnr.rples and ..ledge,, which the Oppo;i- \ lien hold, and had given to the country. On the other hi"d, if a National Cabinet, with cfiual representation nmleqin! la-sm-nsibilitics. were established for ivir ami financial purposes, to lio'd .(lice da/- i ins the currency of the w.r. taxation j pr'Ks.als would ;>-■ ni -id-n.l and ib'ilt with liy a non-party (ab'nel -oiivstiieof an equal number tV-m inch -dd» ■'■ the House. This w 'i'-l eo-r;.- pneta•;! unanimity in retard •■> Liv.itiov pi-mo.:- , als, as the equal dhi-a-n would, onfor-e, the m- d of c-o.ee ,iau oil l"-h si.l-. I Thus, of deadlock, -en:l I.'» ~,V1.d aid l!-e !-'■-! a-i tvu-st ie- !

la my opinion, i-mli a Cabinet would be i:i!ii ,■ |.id;;.!e.il party to'ail pi, not on!.in ii,..' -n1,,-, N ~-' :,«■ i-eahind. In in (he iui.r.-l- of the Kn;;.i:v. I h.ni X;.. n. ii!;, i- ~.rl-: ,i.i ul-i. uu.Xr a \"a-tVluli-iabil.e. la-'illll po-iXnl! (i.iliiillill'aid i-.-.i ~,-i,-,l with ,!:r war, r .i| 111..,. .hX ::- m-. n.buv, would uuit-dl., ;-uppo--.•.lei: oilrr. 11l eenversal ion I pain."! till to Mill ihaf ii would be practice.!''.-ci-.iabi.' v---re the Ministry defeat..! in .0 : ■ 1.-; v.' 11.- Cabinet. .- ; i;i! a i ■ .;-;.IUi.-J----r-.-l op. I earned, place mvs.lf. r-r a-k ih. ■"' as-oeiafid with in'.', to ph.v thoiuaelvc.-, in a position which may li-a-.l to .-..-.-h a .'-.tat.■ of affairs. Wiili'ivfe.-. e-o.i- to paragraph 4 of your letter, vo.; in;-.',- !.-::,eiiilici- that I pointeil out to ;,.m it weu.V In i:.-e.':,sary, with a National Cibinei. that there sliould be no contests for bee-,:.-.-thus, and that, if a vacancy cnnied in ihe ranks of any if tic parlie i, the nominee of (lie particular party ,-,,;, ri-i.-ei r; i..iiM reeeXe tlic united sup purl, t'i tin other parties. 1-inch a cm.. Uiii,,, i-, natuiallv essential to aiiythin : j in the shape of a National Cabinet. I .'i not wish to discuss, at this point, a! the clauses of your letter in detail. IX

garding ci.iuso t, however, which stipi.lates that von arc to bo L'rimo Minister. "I and hold (lie portfolio of Defray, and thiit the Hon. Mr. Allen is to hold tiiv portfolio of finance. 1 wish to say that ! s:ii] not desirous o! having a seat in a National Cabinet, and I so expressed i;ivsi if to \ou. Kocognisiiig (In- gravity e-i' the situation 1 was prepand to subordinate my personal inclinations and (:i agree to you being l'rime Minister, e:nditional on my retirement after the eoaelusion of tin; war, but to seriously suggest a National Cabinet, and then ma'.o the stipulations contain! il in your litter as to the two portfolios mentioned, makes it appear that and your parly desire all the power and prestige attaching to a strong ("iovornniont duriag a grave war crisis, while at the mum; l\\:v relying upon and expecting t.'.e Opposition to accept full responsibility, with a minority of members in the Cabinet holding portfolios which have no direct connection either with the war, or the financial position of the country. In plain terms, if the Government Parly retain the Prime Ministership, and also the important portfolios of Finance and Defence, it is difficult to see why the assistance of the Opposition is asked in a National Cabinet during the war. and fir war purposes.—l remain, yours sincerely (signed), J. (i. Ward. Following is the reply sent by the Premier to the Leader of the Opposition to-night:

"28th duly, IMS. Dear Sir Joseph, Implying' to your letter to to-day's date, and 'referring to the subject of a National Cabinet, I think you will admit that I have been honestly anxious to arrange for a strong Government to carry on the business of the country during the war period, and to enable New Zealand to do its duty in assisting the Empire during a time of crisis. Unfortunately, diilieultics have arisen which neither you nor I have been able to overcome. You refer to my first proposal of six Government and three Opposition members in a Cabinet of nine as being unfair, but so far as I can recollect, up to that time, no substantial body of public opinion had suggested a larger proportion, and it should be remembered that this proposal meant asking several of my colleagues to make great sacrifices. It meant asking iliem to retire from honorable positions, and to separate themselves from the comrades with whom they had worked for nmiiy years. I must say, however, that each and every Minister expressed himself as willing to place his resignation in my hands and abide loyally by my decision. Vou next suggest that the Opposition is practically equal to the Government party. In point of numbers the relative strength of parties is 41 to 3D, but it seems to me there is another way of looking at this matter, and it is this ■- that if the members of a National Cabinet, chosen from both sides, are to he in proportion to the number of members behind them, they should be in proportion to the number of members upon the Government side or upon the Opposition side, who would actually support the new administration. This I did not even propose, because from what 1 was given to understand I felt certain there was a large proportion of Opposition members who would not, under any circumstances, consent to support a National Government, but I certainly did suggest n proportion of live to four as a way out of the ditlieulty. This you ar.d your party decided you could not accept. .Negotiation, however, still continued, and 1 think I am right in saying that the st ggestion that came from yourself was that there should be an equal rumber or' members, and that 1, as Premier, should possess a deliberative and easting vore. This 1 accepted, upon the understanding that the member of Executive representing the Native race should br. requested not to exercise a vote, except on matters directly atl'ecting ids people. At this time matters looked favorable ."or the formation of a National Cabinet, but when we met again you withdiv\V this oiler, and 1 put forward the six to five proposal, the six members of Cabinet to include the lion. Dr. l'omare, who is not at present actually a member of the Cabinet, but who is a' member of lie: Fxeentive Council. This arrangement, if it had been agreed to, would have given the Opposition five .European representatives in the Lower House, the Government would have had four European representatives in that Chamber, and tic lion. Dr. l'omare, the Leader of the Legislative Council retaining the position which lie now occupies. 1 was prepared to stand by this proposal, and there were hopes that matters might have been satisfactorily arranged on this basis. Regarding your suggestion that a non-party Cabinet, consisting of an equal number from each side of the House, would make deadlocks impossible. I regret that I am unable to concur in the view that you express. It seems to me that in a Cabinet of live and live, as a result of its very composition deadlocks would constantly arise, inasmuch as upon every question upon which was an equal division no effective decision could be arrived at. Further, ' your proposal meant placing your Party in precisely the same position as the Government Party, which is in a majority, and whilst 1 am anxious to avoid all parly conflict, and dc-dro, if possible, to secure your co-operation, I consider tint in any arrangement come to the Government of the day is entitled to enjoy, at any rale nominally, a preponderance of power. I agree with you that all contentious legislation should be avoided during the war period, and there would be no dilliculty on my part, so far as (hi:- condition was concerned, but there is one suggestion in your letter which I think should not have been made, and which is contained in the following e<ctraet: 'To seriocsly suggest a National Cabinet and then make stipulations contained in your letter as to the two portfolio- mentioned (Defence and Finance!, makes il appear that yen and you Parly de-:ie all power ar.d prestige attaching to a strong Government during a grave war crisis v.hile at the same time reiving ii,.on aid expecting 'he Oppositio.i t'- ■. ;. ■f.'.iill ■-■. ■■ ,•■• ".' itv. with a rniii. ,:iy of members in a Cabinet hold in.' ii 1 ' 'i-'ios va.V ' '."i ( no direct inii-i:wl':i-ll i itaVr w'l' ■•■ ~- )!'.e liininr:'.i.l Tinsiiii.n When V i!'■:•: 11 Go'-rimot'.t.s have b ■ a frr:r.(d ■- ■ ihi-r re.:; ■'■,■'• • in

located by him, probably after consul- j iation with his cnlloajtu'crf, lint in (in-; J j ii'.aei. are net by'any m.-ii:' the i.'nlv I i.nes of any inipiirlanrn. A- a in.;! l -r nj fiu I. i':'e I-I'"'. ;a!i:-e 1.;,, i:i.!i ate I \ lir-re !u"t!ie Miiii'-ler i !' IbiiiVavs thni ! V; i-'hi-r Ministers, i-.ecpt the J'ri;ii" ! ~:ni...,'i r. tint i! rr-;.:.ui!-, !!'" ) ortfoliu r,f - 7 ,ul,;-.' ;i'i-ii\.l;..s. -n.-h ~ T..st a,-i Teli-rai,'.!. !..\:d.. I'uiib-. Health. l-Mu-a-iion, A.o-naibnre. Labor. I'rlnie Works. / , „.„.;, ~.. ~; |p_, .iiiivnnl pariics wis VI ("I'ovei-a:-.;; lit and '.) itjiiiosiCon, im-ln-1-i;;;; one lor Lab. r, bill not cuiiilin;; tin- •.:<;:' to i.;. ;|,trly. anil i- a '.aiit Icily not a politician, t observe thai in ,';;.. | ia.e yon,:,:;•; to ulai you . ri "the icrious cei-iitioil i f the lir..'-:ic- of the ova-i-al cl!'ei-t. of ti-e war. the lina.ai-ail pi it ion ,if ii e . ouufn \,as in-vi r more ;-i.',;.VfaCt'ol-v. As I have said. I have nui.'e a, ;i;;i"e aflin ]..'; to provMe I'.'.'i.'ovt ;. i-:.m -. ililiicallv during a erificii! piioin!. I 1 ave done v.:;.it I be 1 ;.".-.' (;. 1-e i-.i-,'.' y'aiii liotv lo tie Kmpire and ''o. |:„rniniuii. ami my eir.irls Ima, failed, it is inn-olii-- to me to know Ifoi I liavc keen ,-.v..|ii:i.rteil in a most luvucrou- and loya! spirit ny my i olleaoiie.. mid by ti'e nieir.ikers of my dVa-ty'. Wkcthei-'i.-.v .- tir !:-. have lieea rie-kl, < r wLeilier t.liey have been wronyt' the people .of X.av Zea'and inn ! .jmhe. --I rem.aiii. '-.oura aim-ereiv (signed). \V. I'. M'ii.ssey." Sir .losepii Wanl's rrplv Ims bean drafted, but was not available when file telegraph ollice slrmed this morning.