COMMENT FROM THE CAPITAL MORE POLICY EXPLANATIONS A NEW TASK FOR MINISTERS

Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33706, 2 December 1974, Page 16

COMMENT FROM THE CAPITAL MORE POLICY EXPLANATIONS A NEW TASK FOR MINISTERS

(By

CEDRIC MENTIPLAY)

WELLINGTON, December I.—A new task and a new image for are top priorities for 1975 and the last weeks of 1974. This is expected t<i Lie revealed after the Cabinet meeting on December 9, when much of thq planning of the last few weeks will reach fruition.

At this meeting, papers prepared by six Ministers will form the background of discussions. Two of the papers, on immigration and tbs labour situation, have already been discussed. They will be brougAl up-to-date and examined in relation to new papers on finance (Mr Tizard), agriculture (Mr Moyle), trade and industry (Mr Freer) and housing (M| R. Douglas).

From the discussion on the. facts presented in these papers, some correspondents have predicted the emergence of another politico-economic

package complementary to that announced by Messrs Rowling and Tizard on .October 23. There have been suggestions that this could well

blight Christmas festivities. As things stand this is unlikely. The storm warnings have all been given, and it is generally accepted that the storms themselves are not expected to reach this country until early in the New Year. The major significance of the December 9 meeting is more likely to lie in the rebuilding of Ministerial responsibility. In 1975 a

member of the Cabinet will be more conscious of his or her own task, and specifically of its relationship to the Cabinet view.

Mr Rowling regards as of prime importance the manner in which Ministers may be used to do what is required to explain policy develop-

ments to the people. “This has been one of our breakdowns—more noticeable this year than before,” he told me recently. “We do things of some moment, and spend the rest of the time trying to explain to the people what we did them for, and why our interpretation is different from the one they made out of the facts as they appeared.” Mr Rowling did not particularise, but his remarks could well have applied to the Government superannuation scheme, the maximum retail price scheme, the local body legislation, the Commerce Bill, and several other controversial issues on which the Government was strongly attacked.

New role proposed Mr Rowling sees Ministers operating in what, for them, would be an entirely new | role. He did not name the Ministers — but the six responsible for the recent and coming Cabinet papers cover an impressive area of policymaking. Most of this country’s present and pending problems come within the purview of Messrs Colman, Faulkner, Moyle, Tizard, Freer and Douglas, under the direct supervision of the Prime Minister himself.

Thus, though he has specifically declared himself against the operation of an “inner Cabinet” as such, Mr Rowling has virtually nominated one. The difference between this body and the "elite bodies” of the past could well be that it will operate in the full light of the whole Cabinet, and with the active help of other Ministers.

“We have to run ahead of the play with controversial issues,” Mr Rowling told me. “We have to get out and about, and tell the people, 'We have something in mind. This is what it is all about.’ Then, when people hear of legislation coming into Parliament, they have some knowledge of it.”

Of what has happened, he has some painful recollections. “We introduce legislation. It blows back in the wrong direction, and we spend the next six months trying to explain our way out of the situation that has been totally misinterpreted by the electorate.” Mr Rowling is prepared to chance the possibility that this could be exactly what an active Opposition would want a Government to do. He is aware also that an exact explanation of pending legislation is not always the best way of getting it through Parliament quickly. "Where Ministers have issues that are likely to be controversial—where they

are matters of some moment —I want Ministers then* selves to get out in th, electorates,” Mr Rowling said. “I want them to run ahead of the play, talking about the principles wher« they cannot talk about tht detail. You can’t publicise the contents of a bill toq much ahead of its present tation; but at least the Min. isters can do their owg groundwork."

Forward planning Mr Rowling believes this cannot be done without care, ful forward planning. “Wo have to know what the avail, ability of Ministers is likely to be, what requirements we are going to need, and how many Ministers will be cu| of the country . . He admitted to me that the absence of Ministers this year had constituted a heavy burden. "I think there will be rather less of that next year, though some Minister must continue to move fairly frequently — people with specific jobs. like Jog Walding.” The other main aspect ot Mr Rowling’s task is to en. sure that the Parliamentary Labour Party is entirely iq harmony with the Naw Zeal land executive, which has to handle the administrative machine for the General Election next vear.

The preparation of the 1975 Labour manifesto i:. well under way. It may not be know that this is basically the task of the Prime Min. ister when Labour is in power. Mr Rowling has several caucus committea working in specific policy areas. Each one of these will produce papers, which should reach Mr Rowling this week-end.

Then the policy committee will examine the result, checking closely with Labour conference reports of the last few years to make sure significant resolutions have been incorporated, and pruning the result. It this state the unpolished manifest.* must remain until the 1975 Labour conference, when further policy issues wi’l appear. So perhaps it will be June before the manifesto will be ready to appear. With all this activity, it is difficult to realise that Parliament is not still sitting. The corridors are as thronged as ever on weekdays. Ministers, untrammeled by the necessity of having to attend sittings of Parliament, are catching up with their appointments and getting on with their usual work. The Select Committees seem to be busier than ever. They have more time for their deliberations in the absence of a Parliamentary session, and will continue to call evidence and to hear submissions right up to holidaytime. These committees have much to do in listening to petitions and examining held-over legislation. The more they complete now, the less will be outstanding between the end of the vacation and the beginning of the 1975 session.