Greymouth Evening Star. TUESDAY, APRIL 6, 1943. MR. NASH’S RETURN.

Greymouth Evening Star, 6 April 1943, Page 4

Greymouth Evening Star. TUESDAY, APRIL 6, 1943. MR. NASH’S RETURN.

fT would be ungracious not to welcome Mr. Nash on his return from Washington, but it would be dishonest to pretend that the event will arouse considerable public interest. Mi 1 . Fraser conferred the customary verbal bouquet on his Ministerial colleague, and there is no reason to doubt the claim that Mr. Nash did all that he was asked. The real question, however, is whether a lesser man could not have accomplished all this equally well, and New Zealand be better served by its Finance Minister attending to first duties first, by remaining at Wellington especially in these days when supervision is more essential than usual where public expenditure is concerned.

Mr. Nash is believed to have returned to prepare this year’s Budget proposals, and to assist in the forthcoming general elections campaign. He declined to say whether he would be returning to Washington, but he should soon be made to choose between the two posts. It is not right that his constituents should be deprived of his direct attention, nor should so prominent a Cabinet hlinister delegate his chief duties al home for something easier and more spectacular abroad. Opinions differ as to 'whether it is worth while New Zealand having a special ambassador at Washington, and whether the results are 'worth the annual costs. The U.S.A, is not anxious about being directly represented in Wellington, and there has been no successor appointed to Brigadier Hurley, who obviously thought he was wasting his time in the Dominion. It is to be hoped that the holding of his dual posts by Mr. Nash will be ended. The present position is absurd. Labour principle of one-man one-job has rarely ever been so flaunted as in this instance, fihe results of the general election may deprive Mr. Nash of both posts, but be that as it may, he should decide which he will really attend to. Wellington and Washington are too far apart for him to supervise both.

Mr. Nash’s achievements at Washington for New Zealand have received little publicity, and whether these have been valuable or otherwise, cannot be judged. Most of the cabled reports of his speeches told of his enthusiasm for a four-Power council, and post-war construction schemes. What influence he had on Allied plans is not known, and how the Pacific War Council will manage during his absence is a matter for speculation. His confidence that the Japanese are in for a “terrible shock” is welcome news, but he has been previously reported as predicting similar happenings. Generally, he appears satisfied that Washington headquarters are not neglecting Southern Pacific needs, and this faith, in striking' contrast to Australian estimates, —is supported by the extent of Japanese reverses in this area, especially from aeiial attacks. The home financial front, however, should be Mr. Nash’s first concern, and many are awaiting with anxiety, his next Budget proposals, hoping that a terrible shock” is not also awaiting New Zealanders where added taxation is concerned.