THE WORK OF MINISTERS.

Evening Post, Volume LXXV, Issue 49, 27 February 1908, Page 2

THE WORK OF MINISTERS.

IS ASSISTANCE NEEDED?

[Bi Telegraph. — Special to The Post.] CHRISTCHURCH, This Day. At yesterday's meeting of the Canterbury Chamber of Commerce tho president (Mr A. Ivaye) made reference to tho suggestion that moro Ministers were required in tho Government. "Our Ministers arc admittedly hard-worked and tho Piemier the most of all," ho said. In a recent speech he refened to this point, and stated that at ono time he held nine portfolios, and one can readily understand how impossible it would bo under such circumstances for the comparatively minor details of the various departmentb to receive anything ftkc full consideration, nonce the many deputations that have been one of the outstanding features of the past five months to remind the Ministers of moic or less pressing -needs, some of which, with less busy men, might havo received attention long since.- I have faith that out turn will come some time, though that time be delayed. In .this conection it may bo interesting if we turn for a moment to two Acts dealing with Ministers and then salaries. Tho Act of 1873 provides for a Prime Minister at £1750 per annum, six other Ministers at £1250 per annum each, and four Maori Ministers at £4CO per annum each, making a total cost of £10,050 per annum. The Act of 1900 allowes a Prime Minister at £1600 per annum, six Ministers at £1200 per annum each, and one Minister of Railways at £1300, making a total of £10,100, or only £50 more per annum than in 1873 The population in 1873 was not quite 300,000; now it is 900,000. The railways had ' then open some 145 miles, and now 2400 miles, and everything is in like proportion. In addition we have many more departments for supervision by Ministers, such as Qommercei and Industries, Labour, Health, Tourist, Old Ape Pensions, Lands for Settlement, Advances to Settlers, State Coal Mines, State Fire Insurance, and I might add Railways, as these in 1873 woro under die charge of tho fublio Works Departmc it. Surely you will agree with me that the number of Ministers might well be increased, so that capable men like our Premier should have some of their burdens lightened, which would probably lengthen tho period the Dominion would have tho benefit of their eapablo services. Mr. G. Lauronson, M.P., referred briefly to the matter. He said that one thing was clear. Either New Zealand had possessed too .nany Ministers in 1873 or that it possessed too few in 1908. ______,__„______.