A BOLT FROM THE BLUE.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10413, 6 September 1911, Page 4

A BOLT FROM THE BLUE.

The resignation of the Hon. George Fowilds, Minister for Education, under the extraordinary ciroumistanoas njnd&oated in another part of frhds. paper, is ,a political "bolt ifirom the i hilue." iMir Fowids has been on© of j the strongest Ministers im the Cabinet, from an administrative point of I view. He has probably done more I thten- any other Minister to stave oif !'itJhe- : - c diry rot 77 wih'ieih hais.iset in/' He j feels,, and realises, however, that the Wiard Governinent has losit the coni fidence off tihe people, and ho has peri formed an honourable, if not an overgallant act, in retiring from an Admi niatraition wihiich can mo longer be I ;uisietf.uil in -tjbe country. Mr Fowftds i ihias always heen regarded as an ad* I I yanced Democrat, and Us association with a MBnistiry wihicth. has flouted de- , .mocratio ideals with the sole object 1 of .retaining office, has been a source of conisitant surprise- to those who are intimately acquainted w&tthi the imemiber for Grey Lynn. The step r-e ttilais now taken will gain for hin +?je lapprobation of a large section uf the coinimsuniity, though it is hardly likely .to result in Ms being called upxi. in the imnrfeda ate future, to be the "new" evangel." It is obvious tihat Mr FowOdts intend® throwing in Ms lot with the Labour, or Sooialisiio Party, and that he aspires to be its ileadier. The effect, of Ms resignation upon tihe Ward Ministry will be farreaching.. He says, im iso mlany words, .that he hias Mmsedif lost .confidence in it, and hie may be expected now' to .'assist in its. overthrow,. y His : attempt, aihd : belittle the Opposition is hardly worth noticing, iseeiing that this Party has been primarily responsible for tlhe change, in puMiio opinion' thiat w taking" place.. . In fairness to Mr Fowldis it m/uist be said that., as Minister for 'Education, be has dione exiaedJenit work in the country, and his retirement from i office will be seriously, felt. .