Grey River Argus TUESDAY, December 11, 1928. THE NEW GOVERNMENT.

Grey River Argus, 11 December 1928, Page 4

Grey River Argus TUESDAY, December 11, 1928. THE NEW GOVERNMENT.

The country will find lew surprises in the selection which the Prime Minister, Sir Joseph Ward, has made for his Cabinet, all but three out of the team of a dozen being- comparatively “old Parliamentary hands.” The division of portfolios is by no means a bad one, the North Island being- represented by seven and the South j yfivc Ministers, the latter, however, including one chosen from outside the popular Chamber, Mr T. K. Sidey, whom the Govern incut is elevating to the Upper House, but whose Parliamentary record affords good warranty for his appointment as Attorney-Gen eral and Leader of the Legislative Council. It is like the times of the Seddonian regime to see no fewer than eight State Departments in charge of Sir Joseph Ward himself, and it certainly tends to discount the suggestion that the Prime Minister, has lost his energy, for he would be unlikely to assume such onerous duties were he lacking in confidence as to his physical or mental prowess at the present time. The portfolios allotted Messrs Forbes, Wilford, Veitch and Ransom are in keeping with popular anticipations. Mr J. B. Donald’s choice as Postmaster-General and Minister in charge of Departments usuall\- associated with that office, was not so widely predicted as several of the other appoint meats, hut hisselection, with that of Mr Stallworthy (the son of a forme]- well known Member of Parliament) will give the province of Auckland its due representation, and both Ministers have doubtless intrinsic claims on the ground of ability to justify their inclusion. The appointment of Mr Cobbe, the Member for Orua, to the Marine, Machinery, Immigration, industries and Commence portfolios, had been expect ed in many quarters, as his past record in local government has indicated his ability tor administration in a wider field. The Southlander, Air P. De La Perelle, is another Minister with recognised ability. The choice of Mr Atmore, of Nelson, as Minister of Education, Scientific and Industrial Reseavch, while it may nor have been desired in some quarters, is probably a prudent one. lor he can at least be relied upon to preserve a neutral attitude as between the extremists in the sphere of education, and so far as scientific research goes, his elose acquaintance with the Cawthron Institute ought, to assure in that direction a progressive policy. The new Ministers of Public Works and Railways have very important tasks to Undertake, tasks which hitherto have been for a lengthy period carried on by the retiring Prime Minister, and it is to be hoped the judgment of the new Prime Minister will be fully justified by their conception of their duties, which will have an important bearing on the immediate future welfare of the Dominion.* Among those mentioned as “probables” for the Ministry were Messrs Polson, Smith and McDonald, who have not been numbered among the chosen dozen, but as none of them were members of the late Parliament. their non-inclusion in the Ministry is scarcely a matter for criticism. Sir Joseph Ward does not promise to-day to make a statement of his policy to Parliament. and talks of another session early in the New Year, which is scarcely what had been looked for. His reasons are that, although the late Minister of Finance assured him last week new legislation for authority to borrow would not be necessary, he is uncertain of the extent to which the late Government may have used up the authority granted them to raise money. It were preferable for him to make at this juncture a policy statement as comprehensive as possible, but it is recognised that there are matters, such as unemployment and public works, which require to be dealt with monetarily without any considerable delay, and supply adequate for those purposes is essential, so that if this cannot be gauged immediately, a session in February may be advisable. There is manifest in Parliament a disposition not to hamper the new Administration ere its policy is defined more fully, and this attitude is commendable. since the country expects the change to be given a fair trial, as it will not only he judged on its merits, but cannot hope to retain office if it fail to stand the acid test in a House where it is in a substantia] minority. From a Labour viewpoint, the Cabinet has its humorous features, containing, as it does, a couple of members who assured the electors that never by any chance would they vote to put into office a Government anywise dependent on Labour support. These gentlemen are the Minister of Mines and the Minister of Justice. They have not only voted against their pledges, but actually have accepted office themselves upon the strength of the Labour votes which they pretended to despise. Mr Veitch has an opportunity to-

prove that second thoughts are best, by working for an improvement of the mining industry in its several branches, and in view of his expressed views as to the need for industrial expansion, he can expect to be judged rather by his deeds than iby his words. Meantime, the public will be anxious to learn what measures the new Government proposes first to take in hand, and will await the leader’s statement with interest