THE NEW TEAM

Evening Post, Volume CIX, Issue 124, 28 May 1930, Page 10

THE NEW TEAM

Two new members appear in Mr. Forbes's Cabinet: Mr. S. G. Smith and Mr. A. J. Murdoch. Both have Parliamentary experience and have served an apprenticeship (though a short one) in other offices —Mr. Smith as Chairman of Committees, and Mr. Murdoch as Senior Government Whip., Their other qualifications are as high as could be expected in a Party which has half of its members in the Cabinet. They have now the opportunity of proving their capacity. The additions to the Ministry are less important, however, than the changes that have been made in the old personnel. These changes will, on the whole, commend themselves to the public. Mr. Forbes has shown judgment in not attempting to carry his old portfolios as well as the new. As it is his load is heavy enough—too heavy in fact for a Prime Minister who will find enough to do in guiding general policy. But it is difficult to see how he could have made any arrangement other than to lake Finance as he has done. In adding Customs also he has followed the practice in the last Reform Cabinet when Finance and Customs were held by the same Minister. .At ordinary times this works well, as the revenue side of Customs is of, the first importance, in finance, but if the protection issue is raised by tariff revision the double portfolio may be too much for a man who is also Prime Minister. vAs a thoroughgoing tariff revision is hot anticipated next session, however, this objection does not arise for the present. Though he has surrendered the portfolio of Lands, the Prime Minister evidently intends that land settlement should be one of the main aims of his Government. He has allotted this work to. Mr. Ransom, who will be his right-hand man. The choice is a sound one. Mr. Ransom has energy and judgment. He knows the danger of creating a land boom, and,- having had charge of Public Works for eighteen months, he realises how access and successful settlement i may be dovetailed together.. It is sound, too, to bring Lands and State Forests together, though it may be suggested that Agriculture should also be under the same control. Another most important change concerns the railways, transport, and public works group of portfolios. Mr. Veitch has been given Railways. He faces a task .which none will envy him in trying to bring on to a profitable business-like basis an essential service in which the State.is handicapped (by political considerations) in applying straight business principles. Mr. Veitch has been interested in Railways for many years. He has energy and determination and, as Minister of Transport, he knows much of the problem to be faced in bringing about transport co-ordina-tion. It remains to be seen whether his judgment and tact will enable him to carry his colleagues with him in a sound-based policy. The experiment of grouping Public Works and Transport suggests that the Government views transport coordination from the road construction and maintenance side. There is reason behind this; but it must not be forgotten that there is an operative side to transport also. Certainly Mr. Taverner, as ex-Minister of Railways, should know tills, and should be able to hold the balance fairly/With an ex-Minister of Railways in charge of Transport and an ex-Minister of Transport controlling Railways there is the basis for mutually beneficial co-operation—if the two Ministers agree to co-operate. We have no reason to doubt that there will be co-operation, not only as between these two' Ministers but throughout the Cabinet. If such co-operation is freely, given, good team work can be secured, and this may make good something of what is lacking in the capacity and experience of the personnel. .But it will be necessary for Mr. Forbes to give a decided lead.