CABINET CHANGES.

Otago Witness, Issue 3768, 1 June 1926, Page 51

CABINET CHANGES.

NEWSPAPER COMMENT. MR COATES CRITICISED. AUCKLAND, May 24. Commenting on the Cabinet changes, the New Zealand Herald says: “Mr Wright has had experience of politics, both local and general, for a considerate term of years. 11 is various activities have brought him into contact with things educational, and now he is to have a chance to show his grasp of the problems, and his capabilities as an administrator in an office making no small demands on the incumbent. The rest of the adjustments inside the ranks are of smaller interest than the fact that the process of general reconstruction proceeds so slowly. This instalment really carries it very little further forward. There is only the promise that Mr Coates himself will be relieved in part of the heavy load he is carrying in addition to that of the party leadership. It was understood that he would make use of the free hand given him when he was first chosen to close up the ranks of his own immediate staff, adding to its membership in accordance with his judgment of men and of their capabilities What has been Hone in that direction has been slowly done, and to all appearance tentatively. It has been a case of temporising and leaving something more for the future, just as this latest instance does with a further appointment held over to a later date. A piecemeal process may keep the business of the country moving, but there is certainly ground for asking whether a more definite and resolute handling of the task of selection would not result in more efficiency and expedition in the conduct of public affairs.” The Star makes the following remarks: “That Mr Coates’s conduct of affairs since he took over the Prime Ministership leads to a doubt whether the summary of his character, which was expressed a year ago. was a just one or whether it has since undergone deterioration.” , The article proceeds: “Especially do these doubts arise over his reconstruction of the Cabinet No Prime Minister ever had a wider mandate He was returned at the general election with a majority which staggered even himself. He had an absolutely free hand in choosing his colleagues, and the resignation of every Minister was put in his pocket to use, or to tear tfp, as he saw fit- Nobody suggested that his team was the best available, and it was generally thought that at least three of them would retire to give place to stronger men. Week after week has passed, however, and still these members retain their posts, and still there is uncertainty as to Mr Coates’s final intentions. He has now announced the inclusion of Mr R. Wright in the Cabinet as Minister ot Education, and a reshuffle of some of the other portfolios to ease Mr Stewart of the burden of the Attorney-generalship. The present announcement is a part of the piecemeal methods by which Mr Coates has proceeded. Instead of boldly stating the personnel of his Cabinet at one fell swoop, as he might have done, he has chopped and changed about, taking in four new men at irregular intervals and pleasing nobody but the appointees in the process. And the tale is not yet complete. Though we are almost on the eve of the session, the Prime Minister announces that somebody is to take oyer the portfolio of Public Works from himself, but he does not say whether ttiis will be done by another shuffle or by the appointment of an extra Minister. This is not Cabinet making; it is joinery, and ot an apprentice type at that. It is notorious that the party contains a man ber of disgruntled members —not ah place-seekers—but men who would have preferred a blunt and outspoken “take it or leave it” announcement, provided it had resulted in getting rid of the weaker elements in the Cabinet and the inclusion of some of the stronger men. The new Minister of Education wall not be so useful in debate as was his predecessor, hut lie has taken a keen interest in educational affairs for many years, and, after 15 years of parliamentary experience, he should made a sound administrator.”

MINISTER OF EDUCATION. THE CHOICE COMMENDED. WELLINGTON PRESS OPINION. WELLINGTON, May 24. Generally speaking the comment here on Mr Coates’s selection of Mr R. A. Wright as Minister of Education is favourable. The Dominion says: “No doubt the general verdict will be one of “promotion by merit.” Mr Wright has a long record of worthy service in Parliament and on local bodies. Although he has very often found himself at grips with the LabourSocialist extremists his own leanings are distinctly radical, and as a member of Parliament he has never allowed the trammels of party to prevent his taking an independent stand on questions of principle. It is satisfactory that the Prime Minister has decided to relinquish one at least of the portfolios ho at present carries, and he will undoubtedly do the right thing in handing over the portfolio of Public Works to one of his colleagues. It is, of courso, very freely roegnised that as Minister of Publio Works Mr Coates has a re?ord that bears favourable comparison with that of any of his predecessors. His period of administration of this department has been one of genuine progress and reform.'* The New Zealand Times is cryptic. It ralers to the appointment as “not a ■peetacular accouchment,” and suspects in

the reshuffle, “a dead hand which we had hoped was buried beyond all chance of resurrection."

The Evening Post says: “There are soma respects in which the second instalment of reconstruction in our judgment falls short of what was expected in view of the Prime Minister’s earlier declarations, but we do not wish to belittle the good woik that Mr Coates has done. His choice of Mr Downie Stewart as Minister of Finance is one which the country will applaud, and he has done well also in relieving his colleague of other portfolios so that he may not overtax his powers in controlling ' the money department. The Attorney-, generalship, moreover, has been entrusted to a Minister who will discharge the duties of that high office with judgment and zeal. In his selection of a new colleague Mr Coates has also done well in more wavs* than one. By steadfast service Mr Wright has earned promotion, but ho has more\ than this in his favour. He is a city mem-* ber and his appointment will tend to rc-\ move the suspicion that country interests! are over weighty in tho Cabinet counsels.) Territorial considerations, we have always( held, are of minor importance in the choice) of Ministers. The best men should boi taken wherever they may be found, but if! the leader of the Government, without! overlooking superior merit, can so balance \ his Ministry as to give a guarantee of \ even-handed dealing, he does much to prevent the creation of that dangerous ! suspicion that the town is ranged against, the country. In selecting Mr Wright Mr Coates ha 9 chosen a city member who ha* , exr>ericnce, and also a debating power/ which will be of value in a front bench*, which is not too strong in this respect.”