The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. MONDAY, OCTOBER 14, 1907. THE POLITICAL SITUATION IN NEW SOUTH WALES.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2210, 14 October 1907, Page 2

The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. MONDAY, OCTOBER 14, 1907. THE POLITICAL SITUATION IN NEW SOUTH WALES.

Since the sudden death of the late Mr. Seddon there has been no incident in Australasian politics so dramatic as tlio resignation of Mr. J. H. Carruthers as Premier of New South Wales. Following upon the general elections Mr. Carruthers .returned, if not with an increased following, .at any rate with a substantial working majority. In re-forming his Cabinet there was, as is usually the case in such matters, a certain amount of difficulty, but no one belioved for ii moment that the Premier would fail in the task. As a matter of fact, Mr. Carruthers did name a Ministry, but without making definite appointments, and certain of the gentlemen whose names were mentioned apparently objected to being made use of for the purpose of ascertaining the trend of public feeling. A week was spent in negotiations, and' .at the end of that time tho Premier handed .in his resignation, ostensibly on the grounds of ill-health. From Sydney papers to hand, there can be no doubt that in fighting the general elections Mr. Carruthers subjected himself to a tremendous strain, and that tho opposition and heckling to which he nvas from time to time subjected told heavily upon him. Speeches such as those delivered by him at Young and Wagga racked bis voice to pieces, .and were followed by sleepless nights. In each centre visited there were receptions and deputations, and interviews to be attended to, followed at uiglit by a set speech, and a fow hours’ sleep iiu a railway car, as the Premier was hurried along to his next “engagement.” He never spared himself, and made a point of seeing for himself that everything necessary to the successful carrying oil of the campaign had been provided for. All through ho was buoyed up by the hope that the country was with Slim, and that his work during itho last three years had met with .public approval. It was a .great disappointment to him that tlio public response to liis appeal was so poor, and he felt discouraged accordingly. A good working majority, however, .was assured to him, and ho 'looked forward with confidence to the coming session. With broken health tho whole outlook changed, and when, on top of this, came -unexpected troubles in tho formation of his Ministry, his action in resigning can be understood. At tho same time the result appears to iiave taken everyone by complete surprise. In recommending that Mr. C. j. Wade should be Ills successor, Mr. Carruthers took the best possible step to ensure that the .policy he himself stood -for would be persevered with. Mr. Wade was formerly At-torney-General under the late Premier, and in selecting his Cabinet has practically chosen the same combination as was preferred by Mr. Carruthers. It remains to be seen whether he will be more successful than liis former chief. Now that public attention .lias been directed upon the new Premier, it may be well .to refer to .liis personality. Mr. Wade’s political career has been a phenomenal one. At the first time of asking the electors of Willoughby returned him .to Parliament as their representative. That was in 1903.' The electorates were

altered Hie foil wring year, when lie was elected for Gordon, and Mr. Carruthcrs, imindful of Lis [supporter's able conduct at tllio Bar as Crown prosecutor for several years, included him as Attorney-General in

his Cabinet. It fell to itJio new Minister to pilot 'the Government through tho “land scandal” sessions of Parliament, a task lio (performed with undoubted courage anil great capacity. At the beginning of bis

third Parliament, and within .four years of being first elected, be (attains to tho prime honor of leading tho Government of bis iStaite. It may (interest tho younger generation to note that Mr. Wad® is an athlete ol' international reputation. In bis day he was a representative Rugby footbnller, both in England (and New South Wales. Ho was born at Singleton, in New South Wales, and is only 44 years of 'age. The now Pro•mior is said to be lacking in the pyrotechnics of Parliamentary debate, but lie is capable of convincing argument, and weighs down opposition with sound sense and suavity. The political programme laid down by Mr. Carrnthers during his election speeches will probably be adopted by the new Ministry, and is summarised as follow: —“Tho avork to be takon in hand next session will include Public .Service reform in relation to regrading and appeals, the extension of the pension system to tho permanently invalided and crippled, thrift annuities, conversion of homestead selections and settlement leases and other Crown Lands Act amendments, Greater Sydney and Greater Newcastle schemes, and the Arbitration Act amendments already foreshadowed by tho Government, and legislation to prevent sweating in employment; also a Bill to provide for better housing of the working classes in Itiko city.”