Greymouth Evening Star. AND BRUNNERTON ADVOCATE. SATURDAY, AUGUST 17, 1935. WELCOME HOME!

Greymouth Evening Star, 17 August 1935, Page 6

Greymouth Evening Star. AND BRUNNERTON ADVOCATE. SATURDAY, AUGUST 17, 1935. WELCOME HOME!

Qjl’lXlO.NS were divided about the need for the going away (if both Mr. Forbes anti .Mr. Coates. There will be unanimity of welcome. this week-end. on their return. Whatever rest and sweet idleness ihoy enjoyed during their absence from the Dominion, there will be plenty of toil facing them during the next few months. All will hope, irrespective of Party politics, thai they have returned like giants refreshed with wine, mentally and physically able to carry mu their arduous programmes. Their trips have been

expensive, unnecessarily so. seeing lhal economies are enforced on the nation •j-encrally. but no useful purpose is served by harping on lhal siring, as Minislers have proved before lhal they arc unmoved by public opinion ou this manor. Many w ill he 1 he -lies of Wclenmo. and claims will he made that the country has been saved i immense stui:-. hr the mu-smial 11 mteh of M in tsters in i In- I .midmi ' m-got ini jolts regarding I'.ritain's import m produce. T<> some, it ; HI appear ; hat ! he 1 Imiicland 's I ■,.’oo< i wi 11 to the (• ver seas Dmii i n ions V. ,|s the ch let’ calls.- \\ h\- concessions '>• ■■!■.• made, and I hat had Mr. t’oaies stayed al home, the r<-siilt ! m London Would have been similar. Tii.- mil day of import rerict ions or b-vics has h.-en post ' poned. and an opportunity is given!

« ,- - w UUg ft'? i t M O/c( ®*H Overseas to make the necessary

provisions against any change in the present arrangements. What must not be overlooked is the fact that competition between the Oxerseas lands is a main reason lor the difficulties that have arisen, and that Britain has the right to expect the Overseas to come to a compromise between themselves regarding their respective exports to

her. Mr. Lyons has already proclaimed Australia’s resolve to increase the quality and quantity of the Commonwealth’s produce, and Xew Zealand must reckon with this attitude of her nearest rival. Mr. Coates was not long enough in the U.S.A. and Canada to negotiate new trade agreements, but it is probable that he gathered useful information as to the possibilities of Xew Zealand .selling more of her products to North America, in return for the large amount of money she spends there. One of the season’s many official tourists who has already arrived is Mr. P. Versehafl’elt, the exPublic Service Commissioner. The nation is certainly entitled to some information regarding his sudden resignation of his important office, soon after his arrival in London. He, himself, prefers to say nothing, meanwhile, but the Ministers will be expected to supply an explanation of so unexpected and unwelcome a development. One of the decisions awaiting the returning Ministers is the appointment of Mr. Verschatfelt’s successor. A request was made, this week, that the whole system of control and regulation of the civil service should be remodelled. Apparently, there is scope for reform.’ Another question connected with the civil service is whether a further restoration of the wage cuts enforced during the economic crisis, should be soon made. Some of the lower paid employees must find it difficult 1o keep free from debt, and the bulk of public, opinion is in favour of sympathetic consideration being given to the civil service request for a return, to some extent, of what was taken from them.