The Star. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 1906. A CALMER OUTLOOK.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 8779, 16 November 1906, Page 2

The Star. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 1906. A CALMER OUTLOOK.

Although we are not s^ngqine,7wei are at least hopeful that>ihe> last has been heard of serious ; friction far connection with the control of the x Exhibition. The outlook , is'^ " ceft^nly brighter. The rearrangement rof duties and responsibilities recently made by the Government seeins.to- be giving satisfaction to everybody^ now- that it is properly understood. -Wet have Mr Munro's own admission that it p^e&ses him, 'and the other Commissioners either approve of the new scheme'orj are willing to give it a tria} before passing an opinion on it. At a meeting of the Executive Committee last evening the action of the Cabinet was also warmly endorsed, and even the Entertainment Committee at last expresses itself as satisfied. Moreoyer, them is a general disposition to forget the pasty to wipe clean th'3 slate and \to* inaugurate a fresh era marked by unity ot k pxwrpose and cordial good-fellowship.. 'Whether or not these good intentions" will bear fruit lies partly with $ftS3i^ufehta themselves, but principally with . the Government. In assuming direct control the Cabinet has taken upon itself the- responsibility not only of seeing tha*. the Exhibition is properly .conducted, but also of seeing that ■ the wheels of management run.. smoothly. The Ministerial direction must be something more than ,formal. It mtisbybe entrusted to a Minister who ' is°fitfced for the task, and it must be carried out in a manner calculated to 'ensure success. The proposal to make the posa

a temporary^ oue should be abandoned as far as possible. It is impossible, we suppose, for the same member of the Cabinet to remain in Christchurch throughout the remainder of the Exhibition season, bat it should at least be practicable to extend the peitiod of each individual Minister's supervision from a fortnight to a month or -even six weeks. If, for instance, Mr HallJones could be spared' to stay here over the New Year, not only would all fear of further complicr tions disappear, but a feeling of confidence in the future would at once be engendered. The Commissioners, the committees, the exhibitors and the public would all rest assured that a Minister of proved capacity was remaining at headquarters j long enough to gain a thorough insight *into the working of the Exhibition, and that, long before the time came for his departure, the machine would be running emoothly. . As things now are, they are just a little afraid that, no sooner has the Minister -oi Public "Works obtained a tolerably firm grasp of the wheel than he will have to return, to Wellington. If his successor possesses a 6haro of Mr HallJones's tact, commonsense and firmness, the change may produce no 6©rious consequences, but if he is not fairly well endowed with these qualities the danger of friction may reappear.