Manawatu Evening Standard. SATURDAY, NOV. 24, 1934. THE MINISTRY.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIV, Issue 307, 24 November 1934, Page 6

Manawatu Evening Standard. SATURDAY, NOV. 24, 1934. THE MINISTRY.

As anticipated, the vacancy in the Ministry caused by the resignation of Sir Apirana Ngata has been filled by the appointment of Mr S. G. Smith, member for New Plymouth. He will relieve Mr Masters of the portfolio of Education, enabling this energetic member of the Cabinet to give greater attention to the subject. of industries and commerce. Mr Smith was a member of the G nited Cabinet prior to the formation of the Coalition Government, when his main portfolio was that of Labour. He also was responsible for the administration of unemployment in the earlier stages of the Department created by that legislation, and in every way conscientiously discharged his Ministerial duties. Mr Smith has had a lengthy association with education in his province, and should most capably administer the portfolio. The work already carried out by Mr Masters will to some extent lighten his task. The reversion of the portfolio to a member of the Lower House must also be received with a note of pleasure. The Government has had to meet criticism for placing a Department responsible for the annual expenditure of a very large sum of money in charge of a member of the Upper House. On principle it has been contended that, as the House of Representatives is concerned with the appropriation of public moneys, the portfolio should be administered by one from that branch of the Legislature, who is personally in a position to meet criticism and explain matters when required. Relieved of the post of Minister of Education, Mr Masters will be able to give all his attention to the promotion of trade with other countries. This is a matter he has deeply concerned himself with, and in the light of recent happenings it is to be regretted that a greater response was not shown by the responsible Boards to his efforts to open up trade with other countries. Now it appears to be a necessity to concentrate upon markets away from the Mother Country, so that the pressure exerted by exporting countries upon that of Britain will be relaxed. His portfolio thus assumes increasing importance, and Government initiative is a healthy sign of interest in a pressing problem. Mr Masters is engaged in such a mission in Australia which enjoys a substantial balance of trade with New Zealand. That is also true of other countries, and though it may not be wholly corrected it provides a good basis for bargaining. That the Government should enable Mr Masters to concentrate his efforts upon the one Department is a commendable step, no less than the transfer of the portfolio of Education to a member of the Low r er House.

Mr Smith’s appointment to the Ministry fulfills the conditions which govern the choice of members. It necessarily follows that he will vacate the position of Chairman of Committees in the House of Representatives. The Government, it will be noted with pleasure in Palmerston North, proposes to nominate Mr J A 'Nash for this position. He is one of the Coalition Whips and has also commendably tilled the chairmanship held by Mr Smith. It has not been this city’s good fortune to have had representation in a Government

Ministry. Mr W. T. Wood was a Liberal Whip and Mr Nash rose to be Chief Whip in a Reform Administration, but the latter did not have the good fortune to be appointed to his Party’s Ministry. But for Reform’s defeat in 1928 it is not unlikely that Mr Nash would have risen to Ministerial office, and Palmerston North seemingly must await the return of the Reform Party to power in the future, unless the two parties permanently unite, before its member will be honoured with Cabinet rank. His service in the meantime should strengthen his claims to preferment when the opportunity arises.