MINISTERIAL ABSENTEEISM

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25801, 23 March 1945, Page 6

MINISTERIAL ABSENTEEISM

Sir,—The Daily Times is to be congratulated on reminding the public of these lengthy and costly trips of Cabinet Ministers. The question arises whether they are necessary or warranted, or whether it is just a case of giving a hard-worked Minister a holiday at the expense of the taxpayer. But this is nothing new; it has been occurring over the years. The Reform Government, under Mr Massey, sent many Ministers on tour abroad. Again in the Coalition when Mr Massey was Prime Minister members of the Administration, did a fair amount c-f globetrotting, and later the Coalition with Mr Forbes as Prime Minister had a fair innings. I cannot recall the Daily Times being very- critical on these occasions. When the Opposition occupies the. Treasury benches, as it will some day, it is to be hoped that the Daily Times will keep a watchful eye cn the wanderings of members abroad. To-day s sub-leader mentions that Mr de Valera enter, ained Mr Sullivan. I wonder if there was anything sinister’in the meeting of these two gentlemen. I think the Daily Times recorded that Mr Sullivan visited Belfast, where he would no doubt be en ertainea by members of the Belfast Parliament, and I take it that that would be all In order. —I am, etc., Looking On. March 20. [There has never previously in the history of the Dominion - been an orgy of " globe-trotting" such as has been witnessed in the current regime. It is neither true that the Reform Government sent many Ministers on tour ” nor that members of the National Government during the war of 1914-18 “did a fair amount of globe-trotting,” and it is news to us that the Coalition Ministry under Mr Forbes “ had a fair innings.” Moreover, the cost of any overs: as visits by members of these Governments was disclosed to the taxpayers through votes on the Estimates. —Ed. O.D.T.J .