CABINET VACANCIES.

Auckland Star, Volume LI, Issue 40, 16 February 1920, Page 4

CABINET VACANCIES.

There was no need to report that the Reform party caucus at Wellington on Saturday wae a very happy gathering. Nothing succeeds like success, and \Lr. Massey'o followers, warm with therr recent decisive victory, are not likely to give mucli thought to the awkward fact ■that they represent only a minority oi the people. For Mr. Ma-ssey the caucus was another triumph. He had dealt effectively with, tire insurrection among hia party in days of uncertainty, co he has littte or no difficulty in maintaining his rights as a leader in the hour of success. The party has left the choice of Minister* in hie hands, which is probably the only terms on which he would u.maent to remain leader. "We hope he will make hie appointment.- soon. There is a very heavy programme, ahead, and the sooner his Cabinet takes final shape for the ta«sk the better. The new Ministers should lie given ample time to {ret to know their departments before the House meets. We cannot discues here all the questions involved in the forthcoming appointments and changee, but we would like to say that we notice with some apprehension the report that M». Massey laid it down that the new Minister of Public Works should be an experienced Minister, and the suggestion that Mr. Massey himself may take the Department himself. la it necessary that the man to whom the country looks to reform the Public Work? e.Vcitem siionld be "an experienced Minister'? , r.f it is, who is there suitable in the present Cabinet? Sir William frauicr an<] Sir .lames Alien are ruled out, and Sir William I lorries is impossible. Sir Francis Hell is able, but unsuitable: .Mr. Uuthru- has not had a .leal of experience, and dors not seem to have the nwepeary qualification*: and would anybody seriously suggest Dr. Pomarc? The oniy other Minister with experience is Mr. Massey, and we hope, be is not thinking of taking over the Department, even temporarily. 'lie has far too murh] to do t<) ftdd to bis duties the control of a Department which even iioav entails a great deal of work and travel. Already Mr. Maesey has the Railways to look after, besides five other departments,, and one may reasonably doubt whether I he can do all his present departmental work properly, and at the same time' exercise the general supervision that if expected of a Prime 'Mini.-rtcr. The. time has come when, following the Knglish custom, the head of (he Government should be only lifrVillv burdened with Departmental work, so that he can give his whole time to policy ami general management. The new Minister of Public Worke should be a young and vigorous man, who brings a fresh and strong mind to the great and pressing problems of the office.