Greymouth Evening Star. AND BRUNNERTON ADVOCATE TUESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 1940 CABINET CHANGES.

Greymouth Evening Star, 17 December 1940, Page 6

Greymouth Evening Star. AND BRUNNERTON ADVOCATE TUESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 1940 CABINET CHANGES.

OHANGES in the Cabinet have long been forecast, the only question to be. decided being the extent of the reconstruction. This has proved to be not so wide as some comrades hoped. Doubt is justified whether the motion, after three hours’ discussion, yesterday, expressing full confidence by the Labour Caucus in the Ministry, although announced as carried unanimously with acclamation, was anything more than formal. It is probable that several attending the Caucus meeting were not wholeheartedly satisfied, and that their enthusiasm about the decision was small. Howerver, the country was once again' shown that whatever may be the powers conferred by the constitution and practice on the Prime Minister, he rules only by the grace'of the Caucus, which selects his Ministerial colleagues, by ‘‘recommendations” that aiA as near to orders as make no difference.

Mr. Lee Martin and Dr. McMillan have resigned, owing jto health reasons. The whole eoiiatry, irrespective of party politics, will share in the" regret that Ministerial duties have proved too severe a tax on the strength of the retiring Ministers, and will hope the lighter burden of being Parliamentarians only, will assist them to recover their strength'. Mr. Lee Martin as Minister of Agriculture, has had his critics, especially within Labour ranks, but it must not be overlooked, that the policy he had to buttress, was somewhat revolutionary. The

guaranteed prices to farmers, whatever the virtues in theory, have not proved so beneficial as predicted. The country has lost leavily and the farmers declare, they have gained nothing, as increasing costs of production took away what advantage the Labour Party’s guaranteed prices scheme gave them. The result of the recent by-election at Waipawa, demonstrated what the rural community now think of Labour legislation.

s Dr. McMillan had scarcely been long enough in -office to have opportunity to achieve much. It is probable that his successor will have a similar brief term, as the general elections next year are expected to see a Labour defeat. In any case, Dr. McMillan was illplaced as Minister of Marine, Prisons and Machinery Inspection. Easy acceptance by the Caucus of his resignation is in contrast to the demand made previously for his inclusion in the Cabinet. Princes have little on Caucuses where the placing of faith is concerned. As for the two new Ministers, they are better known in the Labour ranks than outside. There is no reason why they should not prove, as capable as their predecessors, and, meanwhile, they are entitled to congratulations and good wishes. General approval will be forthcoming to the decision to revive the practice of having on the Executive Council, a Maori specially representing his race. The Natives have been given a very good run by Pakeha Ministers, and even their own special representative cannot get much more for them. Summed up, the Cabinet changes will arouse little national interest, as most of the people are awaiting a more wholesale change.