The Greymouth Evening Star. SATURDAY, MARCH 6, 1943. SCRIMMAGING?

Greymouth Evening Star, 6 March 1943, Page 4

The Greymouth Evening Star. SATURDAY, MARCH 6, 1943. SCRIMMAGING?

interesting broadcast which is unlikely to be included in forthcoming programmes, would be a frank exposition of their differences, the cause and developments, by Mr. Wilson, Minister of Broadcasting, and Mr. Scrimgeonr. At one time, “Uncle Scrim.” was persona grata at Labour headquarters, but, of late, it appears that he has fallen from grace where the heads are concerned, if still having influence with the Left Wing of the Barty. Communists rushed to protest against his recent suspension, and malcontent railwaymen also had something to say. It is difficult to believe that all the protests against. Ministerial action were spontaneous, and not. due to organisation more than indignation. Be that, as it. may, Mr. Scrimgeonr has won and is to be reinstated. Mr. Fraser’s subsequent comment was an effort to pour oil on troubled waters, and Mr. Scrimgeonr extended the olive branch. Mr. Wilson has not yet spoken. How pleasant it is to see Labour brethren dwell together in unity! Whether Mr. Scrimgeonr is retained in the broadcasting service is not really a matter of national importance. He is entitled to common justice. The recent incident gives another glimpse of the true status of the Cabinet, which has yielded again to pressure from Labour ranks. Ministers and people can have little doubt who are the real rulers of the Dominion. Luckily, a general election is not far away. Mr. Nash has been recalled from Washington to assist his colleagues, but the fact is that the whole country, Nationalist, Labour and all the minor Parties, are increasingly realising if is time the present Cabinet gave place Io others. What respect was once felt for it has dwindled, and probably the Ministers, themselves, would now welcome a showdown. Indeed, the whole House needs the tonic of an election.

So far as it has gone, the Acklress-in-RepJy debate in the House has not produced anything epoch-marking. Mr. Holland made good points over the manpower muddle, and found an easier target still in the Internal Marketing Department. It is doubtful, if in the whole history of the Dominion, there Ims been another Department so generally denounced as this of Marketing. It moves in mysterious way its blunders to perform, and the consequent losses to the national treasury and the inconvenience to the people, have been serious. The Minister (Air. Barclay) loyally issues denials of this and that allegation, but nobody else is convinced, even if he is. It is difficult in these days of suppressed publicity to distinguish between fact and gossip, but there is enough known, through the high prices paid for inferior fruit, to impress upon consumers that the Internal Marketing Department has not justified is existence. Public interest in Parliament is unlikely to be keen, short of the unexpected, until the election-year Budget is. produced. Mr. Fraser, in his recent of the public accounts, predicted a satisfactory surplus for this year, and was cheerful about the buoyancy of the revenue. Whether those who have had to pay the heavy taxation are equally happy about the figures quoted, is another question. There would be less disposition to criticise if there were greater belief that administrative extravagance was being minimised, especially where the War Expenses Account is concerned.