The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. THURSDAY, APRIL 8,1909. THE NATIVE MINISTER.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2471, 8 April 1909, Page 4

The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. THURSDAY, APRIL 8,1909. THE NATIVE MINISTER.

The rumor which'comes from Wanganui to the effect that a re-arrange-ment in tlie Native Department will involve the retirement of the Hon. Air. Carroll as Minister may not have foundation, but if it prove to be correct the fact will not greatly surprise those who live closely’ followed the political events of the past few weeks. In the Premier’s statement of policy made at Lower Hutt on Friday night, the following paragraph appears: In the Native Department considerable changes will be made. The three judges who are retiring will not bo replaced, and the assessment, work, which now entails heavy travelling expenses, will be carried Out at the head office. The Native Appellate Court is to be abolished, and the Chief Judge’s. office. There will be other important changes; and a large reduction of cost .will be assured. Here, again, the saving will be substantial.

It will be noted that “other important changes!’ might very easily refer to the abolition of the position at present held by the Hon. Mr. Carroll. 5n any case, such a step would only be m accordance with' the. . general plan set forth 1 l/y the Premier. He is determined to cut down expenses, and to use his own words, “get a fair day’s work ’ from every public servant. Ilus is just where the present Native Minister fails. Ability ho has in comm • i with many other attractive qualities, but w< rk and he have never agreed, j any ease the position is largely a ..’operfluous one. That portion of Native a flairs dealing with land can fittingly?. *be associated with the Department of Lauds, whilst tlie question of titles and other legal matters properly belong to the Administration of Justice. The' work moist necessarily require expert knowH.lge in regard to Maori affairs, but this should hot necessitate the maintenance of a special and very expensive Department such as is being conducted at pres'; it with tremendous loss to the country. We should d-.slike to see anything occur inimical to the interests of so estimable a gentleman as Mr. Carroll, but frankly wo cannot look upon Ills retirement from the Ministry, should it come.about, as any great loss. There will shortly be very niany dismissals from tlie Civil Service 'of superfluous hands—some involving . hardship .to highly deserving officers—and tlie principle should apply all round. In other words, if Sir Joseph finds he has n> Minister whose services in a particular capacity are not absolutely indispensable to the public service,' it ifiMfls cHily to arrange, for his retirement. _ .'. .

TWO LEADERS COMPARED

It is questionable whether Air. Fisher, the Labor leader, who recently, succeedcd Air. Deakin to the Premiership of the Commonwealth, will long survive the effects of his attitude at the time of the recent naval crisis, when he refused to give effect to tlie demand of tho people that a Dreadnought should be offered to Britain. The entire press was. against him, and . tho following scathing remarks by the Alelbourne “Argus” indicate 1 , how bitter was the feeling towards him, and incidentally show tho growing respect with which Sir Joseph Ward is being regarded by Australians:—

Great national impulses are not reckoned with in the political creed which has been taught to Air. Fisher. He has been accustomed to yield unquestioning obedience to party shibboleths and party discipline; he has never learned to interpret the people’s will. It is the natural consequence of years of blind obedience to the orders of their outside leagues that Alinisters should now gaze upon national enthusiasm with blank and uncomprehending eyes. But this is surely the time for men with an Imperial policy. If this Alinistry has no such police’, it should be compelled to make way for others who have, and who have, too, the courage to declare it. What a striking contrast is furnished by Sir Joseph Ward, who is really the national leader in New Zealand ! There will be no misunderstanding between the people and the Prime Alinifiter when the New Zealand Government’s offer becomes known all over the Dominion to-day. Sir Joseph Ward appreciates the fact that the Australasian desire is. to give an immediate declaration of willingness to share the burden of empire, with no limitations or conditions that might seem to contain the grudges of special self-interest. There is a vital difference in insight between the two Prime Alinisters. -One is a man who looks right, out to the empire’s horizon; the other has eyes only for the slippery path he is treading, lest-lie stumble. Nothing will bo said at present, but Air. Fisher is concocting a programme, to be announced —when? To-day? No! tomorrow ? No! But next week, at Gympic, in Queensland. In the .meantime the magnificent offer by New Zealand is ringing through the world. Australia is dumb because the Prime Alinister is deaf.

Since the foregoing was written the Commonwealth Premier lias outlined proposals for an increased contribution to the British navy, and also for greater expenditure upon the nucleus of au Australian navy. His scheme in the latter direction has already been subjected to fierce criticism, and there is little doubt that tlie naval issue will provide strong ammunition for Air. Fisher’s opponents when the Federal Parliament is next called together.