The Daily News. FRIDAY, MAY 2, 1919. DOMINION GOVERNMENT PROBLEM.

Taranaki Daily News, 2 May 1919, Page 4

The Daily News. FRIDAY, MAY 2, 1919. DOMINION GOVERNMENT PROBLEM.

The near approach of a general election has naturally caused a Btir in political circles, and there are not wanting indications of a growing feeling that the time has arrived when new men and new methods must be found to carry on the government of the Dominion on lines that have been rendered necessary by the effects of the war. It is generally conceded that there must be a heightning, broadening and strengthening of the political structure, not only for securing the maximum development of our resources, but also for obtaining the best possible results from taxation in order to meet the heavy demands of the future. Practically the parting of the ways has been reached, and the question that is now paramount is how to meet successfully a situation that needs extreme wisdom and administrative ability in guiding the ship of State. There has already been much talk, coupled with minor activities in the direction of forming new parties, as well as of founding a coalition that will be free from the glaring • defects of the National (Government, but no tangible working scheme has been evolved and the fear is that unless decisive steps are taken to arouse the peo--1 pie .to the vital necessity, of pre-

paring for the new developments there will be no definite move that will be likely to be of real service when the time for selecting Parliamentary candidates arrives. It is to be hoped, however, that this will not happen, and to prevent such a misfortune no time should be lost in organising throughout the Dominion. It would be a fatal error to await the return of the two absent political leaders before taking action, and it must be assumed that they are both actuated by the desire to promote the best interests of the Dominion, and will, therefore, either fit in with, or drop out from, any well-considered plan of action that is acceptable to the majority of the people The main essential of government in the future is that it shall be in the hands of men possessing the highest order of intellect, coupled with corresponding administrative, ability. It may be asked where such ideal men are to be found. Certainly not in the ranks of the mere adventitious politicians, whose stock in trade is small talk and reckless promises. There never has been a time when a fusion of the best brains of the country was so urgently required in Parliament as at the present time. The war has changed the whole fabric of politics, and it has brought problems that no professional politician can solve. "We are face to face with new conditions that can neither be ignored nor trifled with. All classes and interests need representation by far-sighted men possessing statesmanlike qualifications Judged by this standard, how many of the present members of the House would pass the test? The need is for men who know what is wanted, men of action, men imbued with the real welfare of the Dominion as a whole, and whose activity is not limited to an ability to cajole grants for their constituencies by persistent pressure on long-suffer-ing Ministers. The first great need of the country is increased production, and all the State departments should bear their part m bringing this about, by judicious and vigorous land settlements, the provision of roads, bridges and railways; also schools for .seUlws' children, the utilisation of unproductive native lands, the cutting up of large freehold and leasehold areas, adequate financial assistance to the men on the land, especially during the first few years of limited productivity. Then there is the need for a thorough development of the natural resources of the country, undertaken and carried out systematically and on business lines; the encouragement of research, especially in the direction of expanding and creating, industries; solving the labor problem in a way that will enable the maximum effort to be put forth without friction and waste. It is obvious that we must have first-class business men, and not inferior politicians, to undertake a progressive policy that will alone cope with the problems of the day, and push the Dominion into line with other countries. It would even be well to abolish Hansard by way of emphasising that talkers are not wanted in Parliament. New Zealand possesses a goodly number of young, brainy, common-sense men, who are sadly needed as administrators. There would be a reasonable chance of solving the urgent problems that have arisen from the war. What chance would there be if we have to rely on the incompetents who have outlived their usefulness? There are certain outstanding lessons of the war that must be heeded in our civil administration, art that of utilising the foremost of the younger men stands out conspicuously. If the personnel of Parliament can be—as it should be—raised to the required level, then we may hope for a Cabinet of •the ablest men in the country. It is time for action, and no effort should be spared to place the affairs of the country in the hands of the men who are best fitted to deal with the momentous issues of the immediate future.