OUR NATIONAL GOVERNMENT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21109, 17 February 1932, Page 12

OUR NATIONAL GOVERNMENT.

Sir, —Wherr the Coalition Party was formed the battle-cry was "Efficiency!' The Cabinet was to be formed of the best men of both parties. Parties and politics were to be forgotten, members were to ha appointed for their knowledge and ability* no time was to be wasted. The problems of unemployment, land development, railway management, finance, education and government trading were to ha faced and solved'by this all-brainy Cabinet. The Dominion would be placed on a sound commercial footing, no more waste of time and money. Nobody really believed it, but the results of the election proved a large majority of the population believed in it to some considerable extent. Now, this all-brainy Cabinet has definitely told us:—(1) "We can find no solution to the unemployment question. We will set up a commission to consider ways and means. Meantime prepare to doublo your dole payments. (2) We inu't admit the land development and settlement question is beyond our capacity. will set up a number of commissions t ll advise us what to do. (3) Finance. —Now that's a problem for the banker, the economist and the professor. We could not be expected to solve the problem, we will set up an extra special commission to advise us what to do. (4) I his problem of education is a vital one. '1 ha problem of the cost of education is really a financial problem. We have settled that—the 8.A., M.A. Special Commission is dealing with it. Having made a careful study-of the reports and statements of the all-brainv Cabinet, I heartily congratulate them' on their honesty. Only once in a decade does a political party join forces with the Opposition, forget party politics, self-advancement, " plums of office" and a thousand and one special privileges. Never before in the history of the Dominions. Crown Colonies or Dependencies has such a body of self-sacrificing men been gathered together. Think, fellow citizens, the magnitude of the task they faced, of their Sacrifices for duty—" Mv country, 'tis of thee I think in this, your hour of need. ' There remains but the last final act of greatness to crown them above all others; back through the ages to the foundation of the Empire, of civilisation, will ring for ever and ever their final report: ■ '"Fellow Citizens.—We stand before y ml tired and weary, vet satisfied. \otl trusted us; we can, with hearts bursting with jov and thankfulness say, 'We honoured your trust.' The task was long and hard, but we have achieved victory! Wa have solved all the problems :you gave us, from north to south, from east to we-t. The retting sun never set on the commissions. boards and- committees we have set up to take care of these problems. All is well, the task is done. We retire, but rest assured, fellow citizens.-.should the hour of need-arise, we will come forth and once again serve, you without thought of reward. " We sincerely hope it never hg necessary. We now .hid you farewell; we retire." (Loud applause)* | Hutch.