The Government

Dominion, Volume 24, Issue 64, 9 December 1930, Page 13

The Government

Sir,—Now that the Rt Hon. G. Forbes has had his trip Home at a cost of many thousands to New Zealand and has secured his P.O. and so on, I think New Zealand may safely and joyfully anticipate an early l end of minority government, and it may help to inspire coniidence and bring some hope to the people of the Dominion if we amuse ourselves in the meantime by considering the material that can be found when the two parties unite, out of which may .be formed a Ministry. This is an important matter, because in New Zealand, as in England and Australia, the Labour Parties have practically brought these countries to the verge of ruin, and it is perfectly clear That in all three countries a change of Government must com«> before that revival in trade which is essential to prosperity can be brought about. A strong Government is essential, and in New Zealand we would have had a strong Government after Sir Joseph Ward’s death had the United Party been sufficiently patriotic to respond to the -> suggestions for combination that were hinted in the public interest by Mr. Coates or his followers. However, what ■we have to consider now is the future, not the past Who will be in the new Ministry that will drag the Dominion out of the Slough of Despond that the present Government and the Labour Party have brought it to? That is the question that must be answered. I suppose it is safe to assume that Mr. Coates as leader since last election >of the largest party in Parliament may be reckoned on as the coming Prime Minister; then “Honest George, P.C.,” must come next; then Mr. Downie Stewart, Mr. Ransom, Mr. Adam. Hamilton, Sir Apirana Ngata, Mr. K. S. Williams, and Mr. J. G. Cobbe. After that, who? Sir Thomas Sidey or * Sir Francis Bell or Mr. Masters? Perhaps some other . better informed “Dominion” reader can supply this informaI feel sure the contemplation of this ehange, even so Ibng, before it comes to pass, will help to restore confidence throughout this country, and will do something to cheer the hearts of the people who have watched things come from bad to worse month by month lately, and have been staggered at the lack of efficiency of all the Ministers except the two mentioned in the above list.—l am. *■' QJW.