DISUNITED.

Taranaki Daily News, 9 March 1918, Page 7

DISUNITED.

THE NATIONAL CABLNET. A WELLINGTON WARNING. During tho course of the Wellington North by-election, a newspaper opposed to the National Government published a somewhat sensational article upon bickerings in the National Cabinet, and reorted threats of resignation- Now that the Government has gone through the election ordeal, the Wellington Post, which heartily supported the National Government's plea for unity, turns its criticism from the same view-point upon the National Government itself. It pleads for unity in the party, the nation, and in Parliament, if New Zealand is to continue to do its honorable share in the carrying on of the war. Reports of disagreements between the two lenders it dismisses with the statement that, although they might well have had differences of opinion, their relations have been those of perfect loyalty. '•'But we regret," continues the Post, "that we cannot speak with equal confidence of the relations between less import ant members of the Cabinet. There has been no open rupture, but there is evidence of strained relations and of that Inck of mutual forbearance which has been displayed in such full measure hi the leaders, and without which all their efforts may bo brought to nought. We hope that the rank and file of the Cabinet will realise that the lesson which Wellington North has so deeply impressed on the country is one which'cannot be ignored by' Cabinet itself, and that, on the contrary, it is an obvious and imperative obligation of their public trust that they should take the lesson to heart anA follow it with punctilious care." The newspaper has referred plainly to what everyone in touch with Ministers has known for a long while (says the Wellington correspondent of the Hawera Star), but has hesitated to speak about. It is always a thankless task to adjudicate between disputants, and T would not attempt to indicate where lies the blame. But it is due to the country suporting the united parties in the Government to know that the most serious dispute is between the Minister of Defence (Sir James Allen) and the Minister in Charge of Hospitals (the Hon. G. W. Russell). Their functions overlap somewhat in connection with the medical treatment of soldiers in New Zealand. Their views do not coincide, and much friction has resulted. Sir James Allen is credited with a. dominating manner, while the Hon. G. W. Russell also has tho reputation of having strong opinions and vigorous character. The Prime Minister must have had many anxious moments endeavoring to "keep the peace," especially as his own party is not altogether satisfied with Sir James Allen's administration. So marked was the latter feeling last session that it is quite an open secret that several Reform caucuses were extremely difficult to manage and the Minister of Defence came to open differences with the members of the party. There has been overlapping and duplication of responsibilities in connection witli the Board of Trade and the Imperal purchase scheme. A good deal of administration is in the hands of the Hon. W. D. S. Mac.Donald, although the Prime Minister is the actual head of the two departments. There has been some difficulty over the lack of a well-defined line of demarcation, but it has not led to personal differences. The other instance, however, is orie causing the leaders anx'iety, and there is no doubt but that the members of the two parties in the House will demand a clearing up of the situation when the Government meets Parliament early next month.