THE NEW AUSTRALIAN CABINET

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2518, 3 June 1909, Page 5

THE NEW AUSTRALIAN CABINET

When Mr. Deakin was deposed from the position of Premier of the Commonwealth some months ago it was suggested in some quarters that lie had voluntarily retired under compact with his successor, Mr. Fisher, for it was known that the Labor leader could not command a working majority if Mr. Deakin placed his influence directly against him. “Whatever the ex-Pre-mier’s motives may have been in assisting towards the change that then took .place—if ho did so —ho could scarcely have hoped for such a result as has now transpired. Not only lias the Fisher Government found it impossible to retain control of the administration of the country, but Mr. Deakin has again been placed in power, and under conditions that would have been envied by any Prime Minister who has held Federation of the States was first accomplished. When in office before ho was, because of tho wretched three-party system, always at the mercy of one or other of tho combinations opposed to him. He was in the humiliating position of having to accept the behests of the Labor party, and at the same time recognise that they could turn him out of office at any time. Now he. returns to office under the most favorable auspices. The various political parties, in their desperate endeavor to shift the Laboritcs from control, determined that old feuds must be 'forgotten and even life-long principles must, if necessary, bo conceded in order to get together a winning combination. 'While all this was going on Mr. Deakin took up the role of one who did not care a great deal what happened; he intended to stick to the. political programme which he had always followed. He would support an attack upon the Fisher Ministry, but lie would not undertake to join a new Ministry, unless its policy was substantially his policy. Such an attitude would, of course, have only continued the present unsatisfactory position. Mr. Fisher’s party might, indeed, have been turned out of office,’ but) it was scarcely possible to .get together a Cabinet that could carry 'out a programme with both the Labor, party and Mr. Deakin’s following in more or less active opposition. So Mr. Deakin stood out long enough to get his own terms, and then agreed to the'"fusion proposals. With Mr. Joseph Cook, tho former recognised leader of the Opposition, Sir (John' Forrest and Sir Robert Best in

his Ministry, tlio new Premier lias on paper an. exceedingly strong Cabinet, 'and one that should give a stability ito Commonwealth politics which they have sadly lacked in the past. It is as 'though Sir Joseph Ward, to meet some 'political crisis in New Zealand, had 'reconstructed his Ministry and had' •succeeded in inducing Mr. Massey and •Mr. Herries to accept portfolios under •him. Tho policy of tho new Cabinet 'will be strongly protectionist, though •not sufficient to satisfy tlio desires of Sir William Lyne, who, in all probability, will throw in his lot with the Laboritcs, and may .prove thorn in •the flesh of his old political chief. On •the question of defence, Mr. Deakin ■will endeavor to get a compulsory training scheme put into operation ht the earliest possible moment, and it is quite likely that one of his earliest acts twill be to offer a Dreadnought as an 'addition to tho Imperial Navy. Besides that, lie will work for the establishment of an Australian navy, but probably on somewhat different lines to those which were being adopted by Mr. Fisher. However, on these and other points Mr Deakin will shortly announce his intentions, and in tho meantime he 'is to be warmly congratulated upon Hie honor that has been accorded him ■in being placed at tho head of the first really united political party, which has held power during the existence of tho ‘Commonwealth.