"MATURE MINISTRY"

Evening Post, Volume CVII, Issue 22, 26 January 1929, Page 17

"MATURE MINISTRY"

AUSTRALIA'S VIEW

NEW ZEALAND'S CABINET

PACIFIC RELATIONSHIP

Australia is keen 13* interested in New Zealand's change of Government, particularly iv regard to its effect on the relationship of the two countries, aud it is this side of the subject that is receiving most attention' in the Commonwealth at tho present time "One of. the important matters to which, as a strong Imperialist, Sir' Joseph Ward is certain to devote thorough' attention is that of. improving' the relationship between New-Zealand and Australia," writes W.M. in the' Melbourne "Herald," and a similar tine of thought is general throughout the several States.

"In business arid'in sport the two countries are closely connected," continues W.M."; "Nearly .sixty years ago Sir Charles Dilke stated tliat. the future of the Pacific would lie in the handsof the United States of America and Australia. At that time no one considered Japan .as a possible first-class Power. f lt.is obvious that .1 Australia and New Zealand should bo in closer eo-op.eratioii than, they are at present. More family conferences should be arranged, first in'one country and then in another, and it would be quite in- order if Mr. Bruce made the first overtures'- to Sir Joseph Ward, himself an old Australian,"

Referring,"to shipping, which is,'of course, an. important side of-.the whole subject, W.M. says that "it is likely that an effort will be made, to improve shipping connections between the South Island and "Victoria by bringing Hobart into.the regular traffic, as was clone 1 years ago; but'in 'those days the headquarters .of., the Union Steam Ship Company 'was at Dunedin, whereas, now it is at Wellington;"

The same' .writer refers to the. fact that the new Ministry is" one of middleaged and elderly men, among whom there are' representative lawyers, merj chants,' sheep, farmers, and journalists, besides an ex-railway .worker and a painter; "New Zealanders like their politicians to be matured before accepts ing. great responsibilities," says the writer, and then goes on to review the ages of the new Ministers, pointing out that the Prime Minister is 72, the oldest man in the Cabinet, while the youngest, Mr. J. B. Donald, is.4B years. : -. "MILLIONS MUSIC." ( -'"Notwithstanding what may bo said by his: political opponents, Sir Joseph intends-to proceed with his 'Millions. Music,'' the £70,000,000 loan—not Jn one huge sum,', as was suggested by cynics—-but over a period of ten years," writesW.M.' "Sir Joseph is confident that ho will be able to <\arry out his project, and it is well known that New Zealand'is always favourably viewed by London financiers. The'money can easily: be spent on more railways, more electric power, more land settlement, and intensive farm cultivation. " . ■»-Following ■ up the subject of likely legislation, the writer says that "it is 'intended •to reform the present electoral law—'first past the post'—and to substitute in its place a system of preferential or proportional voting. In nil probability preferential voting, somewhat on the same lines as in Australia, will bo introduced, and if Sir Joseph does not receive adequate support from the House, he will appeal to the country. However, it is thought that the Labour aud Reform parties will- help him to carry through this most important legislation. " On the question of representation, comment is made that in the new Cabinet the two islands are almost equally represented, seven Ministers belonging to the North Island and six to the South,' whereas iir Mr. Coates's Ministry, the North' Island "had all but three or four-portfolios."

"Although Sir Joseph Ward, who has become Prime; Minister for' the second time,'is'• over seventy;years old, his proposed legislation will-probably be sufficiently attractive, to enable his Government'torun its full .term," says the same writer ,'in clinching his subject. .

"In England there are greater, cliff orences between tlie peoples of Yorkshire and Lancashire than there are between the people in any two parts of Australia, "• says; Sir/ Arthur Duekham, chairman of the British Economic Mission to the Commonwealth. "lir Australia one feels moro among the British than one docs in Britain herself.". ■■■•••