REINFORCING THE MINISTRY.

Otago Witness, Issue 2812, 5 February 1908, Page 53

REINFORCING THE MINISTRY.

MR M'NAB'S SUPPORT. (Fbom Our 'Own Cosbispondent.)

WELLINGTON, January 31.

In responding to the toast of "The Minister " at a oomplimenatry dinner given by the Ohakune Progressive Association, the Hon. R.- ifNab, Minister of Lands (saya the Post) dealt with Sir J. G. Ward's, recent pronouncement' in regard to. an increase of members of the Ministry, and stated that if statistics were taken of leading public men of this country it would be found that, the death rate of late years was greater than in almost any profession which could 1 be named. If similar results followed the occupation of mining, whether for coal or gold, or took place amongst sailors a cry would nave been raised from one. end of the Dominion to the other, and Parliament would be forced by legislation to cope with- the evil. The mere fact that it took place in the higlietfc body of servants in" the country was no reason why the attention of the public and Parliament itself should not be directed

■ , ■■ —^3 to the cause, and that cause bo eSvk&j reduced or minimised. He thought that \Ji reduction in the number of deaths mlftLt be brought about by increasing the nui»b&i> of members of the Ministry, especially «l every year saw departmental inoreasasi which must result in political heads of departments being 1 Increased. The Minij^ ter'e duty was not to carry on the actual administration. He was to be the voici> and directing head, representing the Parliament and 'Che representatives of tho people^ in carrying out the policy which they decreed should be the policy of this eounjtry. The carrying-out of that policy, in its details should be done by the civil service of T;he country. He thought also, in connection with the representation ol the back-blocks, that, as a result of post experience, the process of natural selection had gone on eliminating the professional man, who carried on politics as a. pastime, and substituting men/ who realised the gravity of \their work; and devoted their whole energy and attention to the voicing of tiro wants of their constituents; and he felt that it aided them in their work if the Ministers visited the back-blocke an<s saw what members had represented by word of mouth. He congratulated the district on the possession of members of the slam* of Messrs Remington and Jennings.