Greymouth Evening Star. AND BRUNNERTON ADVOCATE. TUESDAY, JULY 30th., 1929. WARD MINISTRY

Greymouth Evening Star, 30 July 1929, Page 4

Greymouth Evening Star. AND BRUNNERTON ADVOCATE. TUESDAY, JULY 30th., 1929. WARD MINISTRY

COMMENTING at Auckland, yesterday, on the general political situation, Mr. P. De La Perelle, Minister of Internal Affairs, said: “Sir J. Ward is showing his ok form in dealing with many matters of Dominion importance. The very best is being done, and it is pleasing to know that the people recognise it. Great headway is being made.”

It is doubtful if there is such general recognition by the community as Mr. De La Perelle claims, and if great headway is being made, it is not obvious. Quite apart from party politics, the nation, generally, is a little disappointed with the -progress. All

desire to give the Ward Ministry the chance to make good. For the most part, it must be agreed that r the Opposition in the House, has not indulged in factious tactics, Mr. Coates, in particular, setting a X - good example. There has been the customary waste of time and eloquence over the Address-in-Reply, but the Ministry cannot be blamed for that, except that a check could have been placed on the speeches of its supporters if it was really ' desired to get on with the legislative business. Sir J. Ward “may be showing his best form,” but his handling of the Rotorua-Taupo 3 railway discussion was not one of his happiest efforts, nor will un- • due autocracy create enthusiasm for his leadership among his col- ’ leagues. The Ministry by this time ■ should have settled down, each 1 member able to answer for his own

special department. Deputations, for example, should not be able to play one Minister against another, nor be invited to do so.

However, Parliament can make ( a fresh start to-day, and the proceedings will be followed with elose , public interest. Sir J. Ward can have the courage of his convictions ( because although he has not a clear Labour will support him meanwhile. Neither Ministerialists nor Opposition desire an appeal to the electors, at present, and any challenges to the Government will not be meant very seriously. The country to-day, is not so much concerned about what Reform did, or failed to do, as to learn what the present Government proposes. Unemployment, finance, closer settlement and taxation adjustment, are among the important topics needing active practical attention, and if the Ministry is. seen to be making a serious attempt to deal with these matters, the people will then agree with Mr. De La Perelle’s present estimate, as quoted above We feel it a duty to warn the Ministry that it is in danger, and that already its downfall is being planned, by a no less an influential body than the executive of the Westland Timber Workers’ Union, which in solemn conclave assembled instructed its secretary to write “to the Leader of the N.Z. Labour Party and the Alliance of Labour objecting to the compromising attitude of the N.Z. Labour Party with the United Party, seeing that they are just as. much anti-working class as the late Reform Government.” Mr. De La Perelle was unaware of this, when he was so gaily optimistic at Auckland yesterday. He may be unaware also of the importance of the W.T.W.U. executive and of the notice that will be taken by Mr. H. E. Holland of the secretary’s communication. Meanwhile, the Ministry’s resignation is not reported.