POLITICAL UNCERTAINTY.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 16114, 1 May 1923, Page 7

POLITICAL UNCERTAINTY.

CABINET'S SUSPENDED ANLMA-

TION

BIG QUESTIONS HELD UP

louccial to toe Uerold.' WELLINGTON, this day

Whatever the result of the Cumaru election it is hoped by public servants in Wellington that administrative matters under Ministerial control will now begin to resume normality, because during llio last two months there has been •scarcely any important Cabinet decisions for the guidance of the heads of the Departments, whilo at least two important appointments are herd in suspense. One is that of Public Service Commissioner, to fill a vacancy nearly bwo months old. There will also be an assistant Commissioner to appoint. Another high position not filled owing to the inability of Ministers to consider these matters under the peculiar political conditions is that of head of the joint Departments of the Government Life Insurance and State Fire Insurance. The present head, Air. Richardson; announced his retirement some weeks ago, but is holding oilico until a .successor is nominated. Iteturned soldiers all over the Dominion anxiously await the results of '.ho revaluation Commissioner's inquiries into the financial position of soldier settlers, The majority of the Commissioners have completed their work, but no reports are available to the public, and the unfortunate illness of the Minister of Lands may cause further delay, even when Cabinet resumes its functions.

lire Wellington Post is concerned about wider national questions, and expresses the earnest hope that the O'ainaru election will end without more informalities, and that there will be no need for more election petitions. The public, it says, has had enough of by-elections and short sessions, ■ and other happenings, which take Ministers and members of Parliament away from the main business of the Government to light over who shall govern. Since the general election—and that has been over at most fivo months—there has been uothintr but uncertainty and talk about it. The country will be pleased indeed when the Oamaru election is out of the way, so that the Government may settle down to more important business, not the least of which is the determination of New Zealand's policy and representation for the Imperial Conferences which are to be held in October,