Greymouth Evening Star. AND BRUNNERTON ADVOCATE. TUESDAY, APRIL 11th., 1933. THE NEW MINISTER.

Greymouth Evening Star, 11 April 1933, Page 6

Greymouth Evening Star. AND BRUNNERTON ADVOCATE. TUESDAY, APRIL 11th., 1933. THE NEW MINISTER.

JNDIFFERENCE to public opinion by Mr. Coates, seems to be once more displayed, in liis selection of a Minister to succeed Mr. Downie Stewart. There is nothing to raise, personally, against Mr. J. Bitchener, who is deservedly popular among Parliamentarians, but it is difficult to regard him as the best choice available. He has had no outstanding administrative experience, he is in his 70th year, and the only claim he appears to have to the honour conferred upon him is that he has been a loyal supporter of the Reform Party. Mr. Forbes, as in courtesy bound, paid a tribute to the new Minister, but honest doubters will remain sceptical. The best defence of the selection is that for some time to come, the Public Works portfolio will not be very onerous, as there will be little money available for anything but urgent needs and maintenance. Mr. Bitchener may be relied on, of course, to do his utmost to justify his promotion, but candour compels the admission that disappointment has been caused to the general public, as well as to the more fancied competitors for the Cabinet position.

Those who assert that Air. Coates is the Cabinet, and that he does not encourage rival “strong” men among his Party, will perhaps see evidence in the new appointment, for the faith that is within them. Those who place any importance on the town v. country issue, and like io see each section of the nation justly represented in the Ministry, will see in Air. Bitchener’s appointment, unfair addition to the rural strength in the present Cabinet, already 100 great. Those who think that in these days of crisis, when the best brains available should be used in national administration, the chief Alinisters should give a lead in the direction of placing country before Party, will regret Mr. Coates’s choice, for with the greatest respect to Air. Bitchener, it cannot be pretended that he is of Air. Downie Stewart’s calibre, nor equal to, say. Air. Ansell, who was expected by manv. to be the new Alinister.

Respect for persons has cost New Zealand heavily in the past, and ungracious as it may be, the duty of the Press, to-day, is to express regret, more than welcome, in connection with the filling of the Cabinet; vacancy. The decision will, not add prestige Io the Coalition Government. which, needs all the public support it. can command. 'The Labour leader, Air. Holland, during his present propaganda, tour, predicted. that owing to Coalition dissensions, the Dominion would have the next general elections within twelve months. Hope probably fathered thought, in this instance, as Labour believes that its chances of victory would be brighter wore the pollings held before the county I

has recovered from the effects of the depression. However, the majority of the electors are not beguiled by Labour promises and claims. They realise the special difficulties the Government has had to face, and have endeavoured to eo-operate so as to minimise national hardships, and to expedite the return to normal brightness. Disagreement on some policy details was inevitable, as no Government could please everybody. However, some recent decisions of the Cabinet are difficult to justify, and Mr. Coates, rightly or wrongly, is held responsible by many Coalition supporters for the decreasing confidence in Ministerial wisdom.