The Evening Star MONDAY, APRIL 16, 1928. THE IRRIGATION COMMITTEE.

Evening Star, Issue 19842, 16 April 1928, Page 6

The Evening Star MONDAY, APRIL 16, 1928. THE IRRIGATION COMMITTEE.

Bjuoii to leaving Dunedin, alter his last tour through Otago Central, the Prime Minister stated that ho had approved the setting up of a committee of investigation to deal with matters concerning tho operating side of irrigation. Ho promised that its personnel would be announced with as little delay as possible, so that it might begin its work within a fortnight of his making that statement (March 11). Over a month lias elapsed before tho names of the committee have been proclaimed. Tho tedium was relieved by an “ unofficial ” announcement, and tho interval until last Saturday only corroborated the rumors of a political and departmental deadlock over the matter. It appears now, from the constitution of tho committee, that Mr Coates has insisted on having his own way. It may bo gratifying to him at the time, hut, all things considered, this is a matter on which long views would be preferable. There has been delay in the announcement of tho personnel of the committee. Possibly there will be a corresponding delay in the beginning of work by tho committee. It would be all to tho good, indeed, if this committee never began its task. It is disqualified because of its constitution. One of the first things required of an investigator is his impartiality. This is where this committee falls short. The petition presented to Mr Coates asked for a Koyal Commission. Before Mr Coates received that petition, when it was being presented to him, while he was covering, the ground, 'he protested that no such thing was needed. He had prejudged tho case. But pressure of opinion induced him to make a show of concession, and he consented to an inquiry. Ho said at tho time that it would ho conducted by “ five or six members, including representatives of tho State departments concerned and representatives of the ,settlers in tire district.” This little bit of prophecy, which ho has been permitted to fulfil, caused perturbation at the time, the Prime Minister has abundantly justified all tho worst misgivings. At the same time ho has insulted both the petitioners and those who espoused their just cause. To take tho latter first, there is the Otago Expansion League. Through their chairman the position was presented. It asked for a Koyal Commission —an impartial body. The grounds were simple. They were that a splendid scheme was being imperilled by maladministration, and that a body—•presumably quite independent of the administration impugned should investigate the charges. The Government has persistently ignored the league and the text of the petition. It was the settlers who signed the petition. How has the Government treated them? By appointing judges before whom they will not dare to appear. Tho reason for this timidity is not that their cause lacks justice, but that some of the persons specially appointed to administer justice have long been ordinarily iu that position and have failed. The grave error in the Prime Minister’s appointments is that some men are placed in a position to review their own past actions—actions from which this upheaval arose. _ The appointment of these gentlemen is an expression of the Government s complete confidence in them. What, then, is the use of irrigationists appearing before them? Their evidence, if received, would not bo believed; their future on the land would be seriously jeopardised. That is how the prospective witnesses would he forced to view the inquiry. And that is why they will probably avoid it—it ever it sits. Mr Coates would be well advised if he were to capitulate to public opinion and try again, appointing a Boyal Commission which would sift the business thoroughly and impartially. As it is he has only succeeded in making bad worse.