WELLINGTON TOPICS

Hokitika Guardian, 19 April 1933, Page 3

WELLINGTON TOPICS

NEW. MEMBER OF CABINET

SOME CRITICISM

(Special to “Guardian.”)

The appointment of Mr J: Bitchener, the member for Waitald, to the vacancy in the Cabinet occasioned by the retirement of the Hon. W. Donnie Stewart some few weeks ago has not met with the hearty approval of the metropolitan daily papers. “Mr Stewart’s, ijesiV, nation”. says the “Post”, “deprived the Government r-f the one man in whom the country possessed confidence as a financial administrator. A fair and reasonable basis, for- unity must be restored. Criticism of the Government arises be. cause there is not this fair basis and because confidence has 'been seriously weakened. It is greatly to ho regretted that an opportunity of strengthening the Cabinet and taking a step towards restoration of public confidence.. has been missed.” The “Dominion” ventures no further than to say that just now the appointment of a city, representative would have been a popular step on the part of the Government.

OTHER PROTESTS

Other metropolitan papers have protested against Mr Coates’ selection of a successor to Mr Downie Stewart. “This predominance of country interests was. serious enough when Mr Downie Stewart was Minister,” the “Anckland Star” protested, “but now that he has gone Cabinet is without a single representative of city , communities. The choice flagrantly ignores the claims of the cities to.,he given a fair share in the government of all.” The “Otago Daily Times” follows in a similar strain. “So far from showing discretion, as suggested,'; the Government witlij its composition already open to criticism as being overwbelmingly rural, appears to have rather gone out of the way to add another affront to others which urban interests consider they have already received at its hands. All the city Coalitionists have occasion to complain of the paucity of their representatives in Parliament, but they own indolence is mainly to blame.”

PRIME MINISTER’S ; VIEW

In announcing the appointment .of All* Bitchener to Cabinet rank Mr Forbes said' lie had the greatest pleasure in acce>)ting the nomination by • Mr Coates,, who had the right to nominate Mr Downie' Stewart’s successor. ■“I have-the very highest opinion of Mr Bitchener’s worth and qualifications for holding. Cabinet rank,” he said. '“His'long and honourable service in local government and his business experience, gained by assoeifiti'oii' 1 with commercial institutions, will stand iiilri in good stead in the administration of the portfolio which has beeii entrusted to .him'. He lias a thorough knowledge of the conditions experienced by back block settlers and will naturally be in a position To give practical and sympathetic; consideration to the needs and wants of settlers whose progress is closely ; associated with the work of the Public Works Department.” What the Prime Min ister lias omitted from his eulogy of his new. colleague is an assurance- ol ''is acquaintance with the routine oi the Public Works Department.

NEED FOR REFORM

In any case it is time the Prime Minister and the Acting Prime Minister turned some attention to the need for electoral reform in this much stricken country.... They both, by the way, came into the House of Kepres entaLives .by a system of election which did not insist upon majority rule, and now they are taking .t 6: their counsel a very estimable member 1 of the House who at the last general’ election was returned by some 700 few--r than . o .ne half of the votes recorded in his constituency. This, of course, is an old story, but those metropolitan, newspapers that( are calling out against the absence of professional and business, men in . Parliament have only themselves to blame. If business men in any number, and with reasonable organisation- were given an opportunity to .reach, the House of Representatives, they would be ready enough to giya, their .services to the community at large. There are plenty of, working-people who would welcome such assistance.