AGAINST CENTRALISATION.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 12, 15 January 1929, Page 6

AGAINST CENTRALISATION.

The expression of opinion by a Minister of the Crown, that local government plays a closer part in the development of the community than does the general Government, is worthy of note, and since this paper has persistently drawn attention to the dangers of centralisation, it cannot pass by Mr. Stalhvorthy's remarks at Palmerston North. The task of the Minister of Health in reconciling the wishes of Department and Hospital Boards is not always easy, and fair-minded citizens will bear this in mind while Mr. Stallworthy is learning his business. It may be suggested to him in all friendliness, however, that his natural exuberance contains certain elements of danger, and that a Minister should exercise great care in referring to his permanent officials. When in his address at Palmerston North Mr. Stallworthy referred to descriptions of Dr. Valintine as the Mussolini of New Zealand, we presume he had no intention whatever of indicating that he shared that view, but Mr. Stallworthy will not mind it being said that the custom is to keep criticism within the privacy of the Department, and that it is advisable to avoid giving even the careless reader ground for suspicion. Mr. Stallworthy was careful to acknowledge that it had been stated that Dr. Valintine enjoyed the absolute confidence of the local board. Hospital Boards will welcome the Minister's declaration against centralisation, and* if Mr. Stalhvorthy's colleagues share his views the country will sec an ebb in the flowing bureaucratic tide.