Poverty Bay Herald. PUBLISHED EVERY EVENING. GISBORNE, THURSDAY, DEC. 13, 1928. THE NEW GOVERNMENT

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LIV, Issue 16826, 13 December 1928, Page 6

Poverty Bay Herald. PUBLISHED EVERY EVENING. GISBORNE, THURSDAY, DEC. 13, 1928. THE NEW GOVERNMENT

There seems to be, general agreement that Sir Joseph Ward has selected just about as good a Cabinet as it was possible to secure from the personnel of his party, and that there is no reason why the Ministry as constituted should not give capable and efficient government. Several of the Ministers are' new to Parliamentary life, but that is no great disadvantage so long as they are men of- good business capacity, level headed, and willing to devote their best energies unselfishly to the service of their country. Several can hardly be class ed as strong men, but what Ministry or cricket team does not have its "tail," and in this respect the last Prime Minister was certainly most severely handicapped. The new Government has this advantage that it comes into, office with the economic conditions rapidly improving, with a sound financial situation at the Treasury, and with the administrative machinery in good working order. In years gone by incoming Ministries have found .the cupboard bare, and credit not nearly so sound and secure as it is to-day. ' The path of the now Administration, therefore, should be easy. It may be necessary to shake up "some of the departments where bureaucracy has secured rather too firm a hold', and to effect a little pruning here and there, but generally the business of the country will go smoothly on with very little change. The main task of the new Government will be to fulfil its election promises in the matter of providing finance for settlers and for public works, and .here the problem to some extent is simplified by the confidence that has been established in financial circles at Home by the outgoing Ministry, which has each year balanced its budget, notwithstanding adverse trade conditions and tho constant increase in the <">st id' social services. In each year the net increase in the public debt has been reduced without curtailing the heavy programme of public works. The gradual contraction of Joan expenditure and the balancing of the budget at a lime when so many.other countries show a deficit has established New Zealand's credit on a high basis, enabling loan capital for developmental works to be obt.v 1ed on most .favorable terms. Sir Joseph Ward, when he goes to the money market for his seventy million loan," will: have a good foundation upon . which to build his application, but the ■success of the endeavor will depend entirely upon the manner in which those: .who have money to lend view the project. New Zealand's existing commitments and maturing loans and her requirements for purposes other than those for which the new loan is specifically required are sure to be closely scrutinised by the

cold eye of the financier. If Sir Joseph succeeds in obtaining the' finance lie requires and is able to ease the burdens pressing cm many engage ed in our rural industries, who are finding it most difficult under existing mortgage conditions to pay their way, he will have accomplished a great.'deal for the promotion of prosperity in the Dominion, and if, in addition, he obtains funds with which to speed up the completion of our railways, then again he will have placed the country under a'debt of gratitude to him. We all hope he will succeed, though holding very grave doubts as to the possibility of the scheme being carried into effect on the generous terms promised by the new Premier, Sir Joseph, despite his rather dictatorial and unsportsmanlike attitude when the suggestion of coalition has been mooted, is fortunate in having assurances from the present and past leaders of the Opposition that lrV will meet with no fractious opposition, bill will be given every assistance to carry into effect such, proposals as are judged to be for the good of the country. The interests of New Zealand are to be paramount above Ihn.se of party. ■ If that spirit is maintained the new Parliament should be quite a happy family and bo able to do useful work for the country. Some day it will be realised that there is no valid reason for the tripartite system, and that much more satisfaction, truer representation, and a clearer perception of issues wilt be obtained by the existence of two parties in Parliament instead of three.