DEPARTMENTAL REORGANISATION.

Evening Post, Volume LXXVII, Issue 111, 12 May 1909, Page 6

DEPARTMENTAL REORGANISATION.

Gradually *jhe painful suspense and tncertainty surrounding the Civil servants affected by the Government's scheme is being ended. The process is slow, but the task of the Premier and his colleagues is an exceedingly difficult one. Yesterday Sir Joseph Ward announced that intimation had already been sent to a large number of those concerned, but there ere still many who dj not know their fate, and the sooner the Government definitely and finally sets at rest the anxieties of the men who must -suffer through no fault of their own, the better it will be for all concerned. In many of the changes made the Premier seems to have some difficulty in making up his mind. Some of the latest rearrangements, especially, appear t j be rather in the nature of experiments, and it will take time to prove whether New Zealand will gain or lose by the changes. Mr. J. Eraan Smith is ro succeed Colonel Gudgeon as Resident Commissioner in the Cook Group. Probably Mr. Smith, whose public service has been confined to the Treasury and Old Age Pensions Departments, may have qualifications for the complicated duties of supervising the welfare of the Cook Islands, but New Zealand has to take them on trust. Perhaps it is fan,cied that the Cook Islanders are never likely to require an authority of strong personality. The Rarotongans at the Exhibition, by their plaintive melodies .and their general air of quietness, may {have given an impression that in their ibalmy isles trouble had no place, but it ?is a fact that the Resident Commissioner -is likely to have arduous tasks at any time, and in following the footsteps of Colonel Gudgeon Mr. Smith is set a difficult task. The appointment has certainly created much surprise. In placing Mr. G. F. C. Campbell at the head of the State Insurance Department, the Government has presumably considered the full risks. Mr. Campbell has been an excellent Valuer-General, and he has been a valuable defence officer. He is well endowed with menial power, but fire jpsurarjo lg a jigs JJplww for. b,ira,

so far as we know. At the best of times the position of manager is one that should require an extensive course of preliminary training, and this is a critical period, requiring a specially-qualified head. In the case of Dr. Mason, the retiring Chief Health Officer, the Government was on safer ground. He is to be sent to London to inspect boned meat, and examine intending immigrants who may be suspected of having such diseases as would cause the port health officers here to prevent them from stepping ashore. It has been manifest for years that a sensible system of inspection was needed at the ports of embarkation, and Dr. Mason is well qualified for .the safeguarding work. Sir Joseph Ward cautiously announces that this appointment is experimental— a tenure for a year, with the right of renewal, if the Government's anticipations are realised. The definite placing of the portfolio of Agriculture in the hands of the Hon. T. Mackenzie should be well received. Mr. Mackenzie, as yet, has not had an opportunity of showing his quality as an administrator, but he is a vigorous man, with a practical knowledge of farming, and should be able to satisfactorily carry out the sweeping reforms which have been decided upon in connection with the Agricultural Department.