THE NEW CABINET.

Auckland Star, Volume LVI, Issue 127, 1 June 1925, Page 8

THE NEW CABINET.

STATEMENT BY PREMIER. LESS POLITICAL ACTIVITY. BUSINESS-LIKE MANAGEMENT. ORGANISATION OF DEPARTMENTS. COALITION WT.f.COMKn. t ' (By Telesrnrb ■ Press Association.) WEI.U\"<;T<>N, Saturday. The Hon. .1. Li. I'oatos and other members of Cabinet visited Government HoilEP and were sworn in this morning. The only changes arc that Mr. I'oatcs relinquishes the Post and Telegraph portfolio, which is taken by Mr. Parr. Mr. C'oates takes the Electoral Department (formerly held by Mr. Massey), the Hon. Nosworthy (who is now- Minister of Finance and Stamp Duties) will relinquish thes.j on the Hon. Downie Stewart's return. The Hon. Stewart was confirmed as a member of the Executive Council and in the portfolios he had hitherto held. In assuming the position of Prime Minister, the Hon. .T. G. Coatcs paid: — "I am deeply sensible of the honour conferred on 'mc. and nt the same time 1 recognise fully the great responsibilities which that high olliee. carries. Tn this brief message 1 want to express very warmly at the outset my admiration of the wonderful service, rendered to New Zealand and to the Kmpire by my late illustrious leader (the Ripht Hon. Mr. Massey). During many years, more particularly in the Great War. and along those very difficult periods of its aftermath, temp'crcd always by_ mature judgment, Mr. Massey's -work in those -very trying times -was sound, and its soundness was fittingly recognised by the statesmen of the Empire. Anyone in New Zealand with the intimate knowledge of the difficulties, financial, social and governmental, during that test of world supremacy canno'i but realise how fortunate -was "the Dominion to have had the benefit of Mr. Itfassey's guidance and wise leadership. And now the post war period has besot New Zealand. Tn that position this country is not alone. All other countries •with us find the same social and industrial difficulties which were previously unknown. The task is how hest to weigh out to their true value the problems which those difficulties create, and to achieve a solution of them under present conditions. In that colossal work we are all concerned. Country's Parimount Need. "Although privileged to hold Ministerial office since 1910, I do not profess to have taken any very active part in the political arena. I have felt that the paramount need of this country under existing conditions is less political activity and greater concentration on business-like management and organisation of the various- State departments. They, aSter all, reflect in euch a large measure the Government's administration and the wise expenditure of public money. Those three portfolios—Public Works, Railways and Post and Telegraphs, which I have held, must be catalogued as very important factors of Dominion development. I have, by every means in my power, kept the administration of those departments clear of anything in the •way of political influence. "I have sought to see every question that arose dealt with on a purely business basis, to give the general public the hest and most immediate return for the expenditure incurred on their behalf. Expenditure, whether for Government or local bodies' servioos, determines the demand for revenue to maintain those services. The difference between the expenditure on and the corresponding return from those Eervices represents the taxation it is necessary to demand, and so, in terms of. plain business, it is a first essential of the administration of our State departments and local governing bodies that the hest economic results is what should be aimed at. The public may acclaim a Government for rendering a public service gratuitously, but it must be borne in mind that nothing in this world is had for nothing. If a particular service does not pay directly the people must pay indirectly, but more expensively, in the long run. Finance and Development. '•It may seem that I have unduly stressed the financial and administrative aspect of government. My cix years of Ministerial service, however, have convinced mc that intensive application of tho principles of sound finance to every function of tho Government is ever essential in the public interest. It is from that solid foundation created that we can build the structure of our public services and enable the development of our country. To proceed otherwise our efforts and success from them must inevitably be jeopardised. On this sound basis we can reasonably hope for a progressive reduction of taxation, and, with it, better public service and greater opportunity for the amelioration of social conditions. Only by judicious care and foresight in setting our financial foundations is it possible to devote the necessary attention to all our citizens. It is the Government's aim to give all classes of the people an ■ equal opportunity in life by assisting the effort of each citizen in his or her natural vocation, and, with a will on the part of all, the results we desire can be obtained. New Zealand occupies no isolated position. We are part of a great Empire, in which the life and conditions of all are very closely linked. Only by united work can our objective to improve those conditions bo achieved, and I have no fear that the aid I seek to obtain from tne people as a whole will be lacking. 1 hold very strongly the convictions I have, briefly touched on, and I shall earnestly endeavour to ™ive practical tflfect to them in my administration. I shall at all times welcome healthy constructive criticism. 1 feel that I can, from the warm expressions of goodwill extended to mc from all spheres of public life, confidently look forward to a sympathetic consideration towards the efforts of the Government in promoting the prosperity of New Zealand. "Bury The Hatchet." '"There has recently been a considerable amount of public reference to the political position. The question of an amalgamation of the two main parties in the House has been suggested i.s a means of presenting a more united front against that section which holds to extreme socialistic ideals. It is urged that, as there are in fact no important matters of policy at issue between the members of the Government, party and those who sit on the opposition benches, the political hatchet should be buried, and thus make the path clear for a friendly merger. Speaking for the Government, let mc say that we shall welcome in this connectioo any proposals that may be

submitted. Whether the proposals for a practical mndus operandi ac between the two parties conic as a result of pourparlers, or in any other way, they \ 111 assuredly receive most earnest consideration at our hands. The policy which my late, distinguished, predecessor laid down in general, and on which a large number of members were elected to support, is to lie maintained. Proposals in fuller rletail will be embodied in the Financial Statement to be submitted to Parliament early in the session. It is nut the intention of the Government to propose any radical deviation from the policy. Our platform will bo submitted to the electors of the Dominion later in the year. T have thought it fitting, however, at this juncture to indicate some of the principles that will guide the present Administration in its conduct of the public affairs of the Dominion."

THE LATE PREMIER. MASONIC SERVICE. (n.T Telegraph. -Tress Association.) WELLINGTON , . Saturday. There was a larjje attendance of *h< Masonic Order in the Town Hall tliii afternoon at a lodge of sorrow hold ii memory of the late Most Worshipf" (•rnnd Master of the Grand Lodge of Xeu Zealand, Hon. W. V. Mnsspy. The service which was lirld under tlic auspices of tin Wellington city and suburban lodjjos, wai conductod by tlip jirovinoial prant master, lit. Worshipful Brother Goorgi Russell. Kloquont rulopiea of tlio late Grant Master as a Mnson. as a statesman o the Dominion and tlir Kmpirc, and as <- man were pronounord by Very Worship fill Brother Key. W. Shirer, pact praiu chnplain. The hall was draped in purpli and black.