MINISTERS AND ELECTORS

Evening Post, Volume CV, Issue 109, 9 May 1923, Page 4

MINISTERS AND ELECTORS

It is a. Minister's duty to visit various parts of the Dominion, but how should he pay his visits—as a Minister of the Crown and a member of the Government or as a party politician? His first duty, we think—and his chief responsibility—is that which arises from his charge of portfolios, but that may not always preclude political visits. The subject has been discussed in consequence of the activity of the Prime Minister in the Tauranga and Oamaru by-elections, and the Prime Minister has gone to some pains to justify his action. The justification, it appears to us, is suiScent up to a certain point. A Prime Minister who is head of the Government has the right to make the position of his Government known if he believes that there is a danger of vital issues being overlooked. But it does not follow that a. complete campaign is always equally justifiable. Mr. Massey certainly Bhows that no political party can throw stones at him for his action, and that any further battle upon the subject will be conducted by all parties from the shelter of glass-houses. But a custom may be old and be as bad as it is old; all the more reason, then, for changing it. It must be realised that visits by Ministers at by-election times are always liable to give rise to charges of the exertion of undue influence. In the heated atmosphere of a by-election a Minister cannot give anything or promise anything, even a half-holi-day for s the school children, without being in danger of an accusation of bribery. The greatest measure of straight-dealing and the utmost circumspection will not save him entirely. Is it not better 1, then, that he should keep clear of the troubled country? We do not desire to discourage Ministers from public speaking; far from it. If they did more platform work and took electors generally more into their confidence it would be good for the electors and, provided Ministers were doing their work well, it would be good for the Ministers also. But the best time for this is in the recess, when there is no talk or thought of elections or byelections, and when the people are in a better mood for listening and judging.