THE CAPTAIN REPORTS.

Evening Star, Issue 19893, 15 June 1928, Page 4

THE CAPTAIN REPORTS.

Ln the pleasant role of a skipper reporting to its owners on tho three years’ voyage of his “ship of State,” tho Prime Minister chose to present himself last night to a Wellington audience. The analogy can hardly bo called novel, but it has pertinence. There were times when Mr Coates appeared to be somewhat doubtful of his precise role, because he referred to himself also as a steward, and there were allusions to a platform which would not naturally form part of the equipment of either calling; but those confusions probably were of the least importance. Its decorations, as they might be called, were the attractive portion of a speech which contained no new note for the future, no hint of future plans or aspirations the announcement of which could stir anybody’s blood. P.erhaps that will come later. Leaving the dangerous ground of metaphor, Mr Coates explained that his address was not intended to be a policy speech in the full sense of the term. His concern was to show that the programme on which his Government had been continued in office two and a-half years ago had been very largely fulfilled. Policy for tho future it would be too soon yet to reveal. Tho qualification implied in that “ very largely ” was at least an honest ono. There was a clarion note in tho manifesto issued by tho Reform Party before tho last elections which thrilled hearers only to disappoint them. “More business in government and loss government in business, that is our slogan.” So tho proud object was announced. A general impression that it has been honoured even slightly in observance would not be deduced from the complaints of Government interference in all sorts of business made by tho president of the Associated Chambers of Commerce, and from other complaints. Apart from this failure to make good a promise, in regard to which old habits have proved too much for it, it must be admitted that the times have been unfavourable to fulfilment of all tho programme to which tho Reform Party pledged itself in 1925. One of the prospects held up then was “the continuous purchase of suitable lands for subdivision and settlement purposes. On tho one hand inducements by way of assistance in reading, etc., will be offered to those desiring to subdivide private lands which are suitable for closer settlement, while, on the other hand, should voluntary methods fail, the Government will not hesitate to make use of the compulsory clauses in the Act in order to secure such land for subdivision.” The land settlement that has gone on since that promise was made has not been noticeable, and all that the Prime Minister can say to-day is that “ it was not a question of carrying out extensive now settlement schemes, but every effort was needed to keep those engaged in tho industry upon the land.” Happily the outlook is brighter now than it has been for some time past, and, if the Government was blamed for economic disadvantages beyond the power of any Government to avert, no one will have cause to complain if their improvement, due as much to world-wide conditions, redounds now to its benefit. Mr Coates at least seems to have had no cause of complaint of his reception in Wellington, a city not generally noted for its affection for Governments.