The Wanganui Herald (Published Daily.) SATURDAY, OCTOBER 25, 1919. WHAT IS “SUCCESS?”

Wanganui Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 15955, 25 October 1919, Page 4

The Wanganui Herald (Published Daily.) SATURDAY, OCTOBER 25, 1919. WHAT IS “SUCCESS?”

The Chronicle expressed the opinion the ether morning that “reasonable criticism is regarded as a legitimate weapon in political warfare,” but it strongly objected to the “Herald” persistently assailing the Minister of Defence, who, it asserted, was held in the highest esteem from, one end of tie Dominion to the other “by reason of the almost universal recognition of his steadfast and successful service.” Just how much credence may bo attached to the Chronicle’s statement about the “success” of Sir James Allen’s administration of Defence matters may be gathered from an excerpt from the Feilding Star, whoso editor and proprietor, it will be remembered, under the championship of our morning contemporary, stood for Wanganui in the interests of Sir James and Mr Massey at the last general election. There really may be some excuse for Liberal supporters adversely criticising Reform leaders, but what is to be said of hitherto strong supporters of the Reform Government attacking Sir James Allen and his favourite Department? Says the Star:What shall be done with tie Defence Department? It is evident to those who know anything about it that this Department is only kept out of the ring of continuous criticism on the part of Parliament through the sheer wiU of Sir James Allen, who will not allow his dear friends the officers and officials to bo subjected to reprimand or criticism. There is a report, abroad that Sir James is going to London as our High Commissioner. The only good that could come of such an appointment—which will bo all to the bad for the producing and business interests of the Dominion —is that it would clear the way for getting at the wholly incompetent Defencers who cumber the earth. With five ypars to show their efficiency, Ethelreds the Unready, these Men who Stayed at Home were wholly unprepared for repatriation when the need for completed organisation arose. And it was not as if they did not get their warnings and their lessons and their instructions. They must have known that the outcome of the war would be a small army of the halt and the lame and the blind and the consumptive. These are the inevitable results of war. Yet today the heart grows sick as it aces the lack of preparations on the part of a Department which should teach all State Departments the way to organise against possibilities. The Defenoers can. not claim lack of moans. They are officers of the ono Department that has had money to burn—and they have burned it most lavishly. What is the remedy? The military men*have been weighed in the balances and have been found lamentably wanting. They are hike so many Neros,, fiddling away indiectively while our home is burning to waste and our heroes are looking for land and a living. The remedy is a drastic reconstruction of the Defence , Department. The military element must be absolutely eradicated out of it and a board of business men, independent of Pgfrliament, but presided over by a Cabinet Minister, substituted. ' Well may the Eeform leaders say, (/ save us feoau par friends! In view of

the forthcoming elections and the recent selection of a gentleman to stand for Wanganui in the interests of Reform, the above comments on Defence administration are interesting. Equally instructive are the Star’s recently-expressed views on the Government s failure to prevent land aggregation, as also its adverse comments on railway management and public works inertia. They at least seem to point a moral!