DEVELOPMENT POLICY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LV, Issue 17040, 23 December 1918, Page 6

DEVELOPMENT POLICY.

i Xo exception can be taken to tho claim by the Minister for Customs that the record of the National Government, in regard to its direction of New Zealand's military efforts, has been " most satisfactory." Its success in the administration of affairs relating to the Dominion's share in the war is already generally recognised, and this appreciation is not likely to be offended by the further account of its achievements which the Minister promises will be given. But already there is a tendency to quote this record of war-time activities in extenuation of shortcomings in other directions, and it is regrettable that Mr. Myers is unable to forecast an immediate diversion of the Government's energies to the problems of the "reconstruction" period in which matters no less important because they are mainly domestic and difficulties no less great because they are peaceable demand attention. There is unfortunately ample evidence that Mr. Myers correctly represents the attitude of the Government by his suggestion that the active programme of development— which everyone, from the Prime Minister to the humblest elector in tho country, recognises as the only policy for the Government—is to be deferred until the .national leaders return and Parliament is again in session. But why the National Government should thus mark time for five or six months, and why land settlement and railway extension should wait upon the initiative of Parliament, neither Mr. Myers nor any other Minister has attempted to explain. It is true that Parliament has given the Government authority for expenditure up till the end of next year, but it is surely not suggested that it has tacitly given its approval to the lethargy and indifference which have characterised the administration of national affairs in the past few months.