A GALLERY

Evening Star, Issue 20255, 16 August 1929, Page 6

A GALLERY

[Written by Alan Dale for the i :t ■■■■. > Evening Star.’] ID-THE HDN. J. STALLWORTHY ‘ ' On the extreme loft of tlio Governmerit benches sits a neat, well-groomed figure The body is bent back, the right arm rests along the back of the ‘ padded scat, the chic is raised 111 chal--1,1 Iftiign to the world, iliat open coimtenanco that long, waved hair brushed straight back from the brow, are those of the Hon. the Minister of Public Healtli . Trill Stallworthy is an idealist, lie is . something of a reformer, with a reformer’s passionate delivery and high contempt for, any devious route touatds his purpose. He was also one ol the first of the new members to gam attention because of his reported utterance about a divine call. The only AveaknesF in thfv story is tluvt no did ,j\ot sav what he was reported to say. Idealist that he is, ho has scorned to correct the impression which has gone abroad, though as a lay preacher ho may have something to say to the congregat'd! to which he preaches. The statement of the Minister ot Health was that any man who was elevated to Cabinet rank should regard his elevation as a divine call to s«rve his fellow men. That sentiment could only come from a deeply religious man, and it makes the gibes ot Mr Jones and All Downie Stewart a lutle out of place . , c , ~ It is rather curious that Mr otaiiworthy should be so reticent upon a - matter which has been used by ins opponents to attack him, for he is dinarily a somewhat fluent and frequent speaker. His is a frank, nnsoured spirit. To talk with him is to see no ins' wearing a diplomatic mask, but a candid hem* whose every change of ides is revealed by the changing coutoui of is face. Similarly-, in public utterances, lie says what he thinks, not merelv what is expedient or what he is told" to say by his departmental officers. He has had much practice in speaking, but always in circles where he was able to reveal his mind. To the politician such openness may appear ingenuous. But openness may sometimes accomplish things where craft will fail. Within a few weeks of his assumptioi of office, for instance,, Mr Stallworth,, had accomplished the amalgamation ot twe hospital boards who had been* resisting the attempts of the Director-General of Health to obtain amalgamation for a period of years. The sincerity _ and candour of the man seem irresistible. It is doubtful whether there is a placo for an idealist in politics. The concessions, the compromises that are the fate of all • Governments seem ill wrought tr a man who twould have all or nothing Bi tit is certain that if an idealist should enter the Cabinet he would be suited best with the portfolio of HeaRK So Air Stallworthy is well placed. The politics of his department are not problems of anything savr, justice and economy of administration. There his free, nnomarded speech, his guileless ways are well suited. He will take his stand on * principles and being_ an intelligent man lie will never be in any doubt as to just what those principles are. 11-THE HOH. J. G. COBBE Ask anv business man who has intor- ■ viewed Air Cobbe what are his impressions of the new Minister of Industries and Commerce, and he will tell , yon either that Air Cobbe was, “ attentive to his requirements or that he was most svmpathetic.” Mr Cobbe has become known as the silent Alinister. A facetious critic in a Svdnev journal described him as having been two months in office before he made a speech—“ a Alaoriland record. But the basis of the remark is true. Air Cobbe does not talk; he prefers work in his office. A man of much experience in local affairs, he has been well trained for the position he occupies. Like seven of his Cabinet colleagues, lie is a business man; more, he is a successful business man. He ' lias attended to the needs of his locality, he has been chairman of the Wellington Harbour Board,, and he . knows his way through local bodies Acts without the need of legal assistance. The one thing he will not do is talk about his knowledge.. Photographers do injustice to this Minister; they represent him with a stern and military air. Actually he is 'benign, his manner is gentle, his attitude is courtesy itself. His patience at once marks him as one willing to listen, his experience has taught him the, futility of promises. He rarely pledges himself to anything, but when he does it is carried out. His speech ,is deliberate and well-chosen, it is given in a manner that suggests reserves ol power, and it is something of a shock t.i learn that the Alinister is of advanced ago. Neither physically nor mentally does he suggest .the,old, man, a man entering national politics in the twilight of his life. It is only with difficulty that Air Cobbe is to* be drawn. If he had been a diplomat for the whole of his career his utterances could not bear more . clearly'.the mark of discretion. When lie gives an opinion it is a considered opinion, and has all the weight of a judgment. One may expect that he will stand by it as by his- plighted word. And there is firmness in him, too. That quiet demeanour and unassuming manner which sadly belie his erect carriage and aloof look mask a mind which is logical, severe, and clear. For many years the Minister has been wrestling with the hard facts of existence, and he has not done it without realising that the main problems ot State are the problems of what is possible. , * - There is no humour in the speeches of the Alinister of Industries and Commerce. There is little light and shade. He is above levity, above angling for a laugh or frisking among the linguistic graces. His manner is . classic, cold, hard chaste. There are the facts—what to 'do about them ? His solution is set forth, not as an ulti.jnate solution, but as the result of a calm, unbiassed examination of all pos- ■' sible ways of approach. If you know '■ of . a better way out the impression is he will be glad to hear it, • If there are .' features that he approves bs will embody them unhesitatingly and give you every recognition. Conscientious striving for the best. That is the maxim of Air Cobbe. No flourishes, no fireworks, a plain man, able and charitable, at his job. Characteristics, one ventures, which are excellently well suited to the portfolio he bolds. - (To be continued.)