WELLINGTON TOPICS

Taranaki Daily News, 15 September 1919, Page 5

WELLINGTON TOPICS

A FARMER'S MINISTRY. AGRICULTURE SUPREME. (From Our Own Correspondent.) Wellington, Sept. 10. Never before have the rural industries been so fully represented in a Cabinet in this country as they are in the one MrMassey has constructed on the ashes of the National Government- Evpy one of the Ministers is more or lose closely connected with agriculture. The Priifle Minister, Mr. Guthrie; Mr. nine, Mr. Coates, and Mr. Nosworthy are practical farmers, harvesting their orops and tending their flocks and herds; Sir Francis Bell and Mr. Berries are large landowners, and Sir James Allen tnd Sir William Fraser are intimately associated in one wjty or another with agricultural and pastoral pursuits. Though Mr. Massey naturally would • lean towards a generous representation of the rsral industries in the Cabinet, he probably was a little surprised himself when he found three-fourths of -his colleaugos to be followers of his own occupation, and the other fourth personally concerned for the welfare of the man on the land.

PROMOTION DECLINED. That the Prime Minister had 110 idea of "cornering" the portfolios in the interests of tho farmers may be judged from the fact that his first inclination was to take Mr. Downie Stewart, Mr. Statham, and Mr.. G. J. Anderson into the Cabinet. If these gentlemen had been willing to accept the distinction they almost certainly would have had It, and, of course, they would have adrad very considerable strength to the Mroistry. Mr. Downie Stewdrt and Mr. Statham are among the mos capable and popular of tho young men in the House, and Mr. Anderson's experience would be invaluable to any Government of which he might be a member. Bet Mr. Downie Stewart declined promotion partly on occount of ill-health a fid partly, it may be ateumed, on account of a disinclination to accept office tWs early in his parliamentary career. Mr. Statham and Mr. Anderson doubtless were deterred by a desire to retain the measure of independence they lately have been asserting. - **• BOARD OP TRADE.

A very frank discussion concerning the» functions, powers, and constitution of the Board of Trade took place at thli meeting of the Central Chamber of Com|| merce yesterday. It arose out of i' motion tabled by Mr A. L. Hunt for the revival of the proposal for the establishment of a board chosen by election to represent the producing, commercial, industrial, and public interests, for the I'urpose of promoting trade and conl trolling prices. Several of the speaker* \ including Mr. Hunt himself, complil mented the Board of Trade upon itf good intentions, and upon the work it] had done, but despaired of its effecting any great change in the existing statin of affairs, while it remained under polilf t'cal influence. Mr. C. J. Ward said; it would be difficult to find three harder; working men than the members of thejj Board, but much of their labor was in: vain owing to the dominance of the Minister. The chairman declared that nothing else ever was intended, The ttoara. was simply a buffer between the GovernM ment and the people.

THE OPPOSITION. j Sir Joseph Ward, who has been laid; up with a very severe cold since the end: of lftat week, and who probably will notj be able to take his place in the House! till to-morrow, when seen this morning said he hoped the session -would be brought to a close early next month. The members of his party were unanimous in thoir desire to assist the Government as far as they could in getting all necessary business through, and he could see no reason why any time should be wasted in party bickering. But, of course, the Opposition would be expected by the country to exercise its constitutional functions, and it would neit hesitate to do so. However, he was not expecting any serious controversial matters to arise or anything of the sort would be opposed to the wishes of sensible people inside and outsldo of Parliament, and his own wish was to get to the constituencies in time to have the elections and their aftungth wgjl oyer