Untitled

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 114, 19 June 1914, Page 6

One of the most remarkable features of the present year, 'so far as New Zealand polities are concerned, is the amount of travelling the Prime Minister and his colleagues of the Cabinet have seen fit to do. From Auckland to Invercargili the electorates have been visited by one Minister-or another, and with the Liberal "Plying Squadron" spreading its wings across the country the constituencies -must- have had ere this a surfeit of politics. As we have pointed out in a previous article, if the bulk of the electioneering is not done before the third session opens, there is little chance of parties being able to say all they wish to say after* the session. Particularly is this the case this year, for what should under ordinary circumstances be a short, sharp session promises to nc unusually protracted, ami critical; Now, right on the edge of the session, most of the Ministers arc away in the country, explaining the Government 7 s programme and replying to Opposition criticism. The Prime Minister spoke at Te Kuiti last evening. The Minister of MaVine was at Waihi, Hon. Mr Allen gave u address at Blenheim, while the Minister of Public Works was engaged at Kaikoura. Doubtless these peregrinations of Ministers will be thrown up at the j Government during the session, but it; has come to be recognised that, if it j can be accomplished without neglecting departmental business, these Ministerial trips through the country electorates are necessary enough, in that Ministers may thus be enabled to sec for themselves the peculiar requirements of the comparatively isolated areas. It will be argued that the'eteinal deputation can be trusted to do all that is needed in this connection, but while it (the deputation) can be of assistance'in drawing attention to wants of its district, it is advisable that the Minister, where possible, should sco these things for himself and judge accordingly. It is not suggested here that this has been the sole reason for the numerous Ministerial visitations that have been made between the sessions. The Government has combined business with legitimate electioneering, and in view of some of the wild haphazard stories that have been circulated by the enemy, it were well that responsible heads of departments sjiould be oh hand to expound their side o| the case.