ONE-MAN CABINET

Evening Post, Volume CIX, Issue 88, 14 April 1930, Page 7

ONE-MAN CABINET

(To the Editor.)

Sir,—lt is'quite'refreshing to read Mr. Lee Martin's eulogy of two Ministers in the present Cabinet, more especially when we consider the parrot cry of "a. one-man Government" to which we have become accustomed. As one who will always give credit where I deem it due, I heartily endorse the statements made by Mr. Lee Martin and go one better. I first met the lion. Geo. Forbes when I was organising for the Canterbury Farm Labourers Union, back in 1907, and I have no hesitation in stating that ho was one of the best employers in Canterbury. When he was a raw recruit in the political arena I attended his first meeting in Donunett in 1908 and came away convinced that Geo. Forbes would one day iill an honoured seat in our House of Parliament. From that on I have watched his career closely, though meeting him, but once during the past fourteen years. Had I the right to choose a Minister of Lands.. I could not pass Mr. Forbes, and I think he will justify -my good opinion. Another Minister whom I know to be honest and capable is the Hon. Win. Veitch, Minister of Labour. He understands his job and will do his work with credit to himself and any Cabinet of which he is a member. Those who advocate the resignation of Sir Joseph Ward and contend that we have . a one-man Government should have another think. When the time comes that, in the interests of New Zealand, Sir Joseph should resign, I feel confident that he and his colleagues will be the first to realise it and the resignation will be forthcoming immediately.

As one who has taken more than a passing interest in the Labour Movement both in Australia and New Zealandl'or 40 years, it is good to know that in our present position we can sleep easy so far as the Reform Party is concerned. The defeat of Reform in 1928 was a death knoll to Conservatism in Maoriland. The pre-

sent Government is not a miracle worker, but one must admit that it.is making an effort to improve the conditions or tlie bottom dog. Comparisons are always odious, but as a casual worker I prcier taking my chance for the winter in New Zealand in preference, to crossing the Tasniiin Sea in search of employment. What greater compliment could one pay the Government, not for a moment forgetting Labour • and other members who • are enabling them to carry on? In conclusion, I claim that it is not for true friends of Labour to place obstacles in its path, but to assist in placing the workless. By giving this assistance, there is no loss of dignity and therefore no necessity ol dropping one's labour bundle during the process.—l am, etc., M. LAKACY. Petoue, 10th April, 1030. ■