THE VACANT PORTFOLIOS.

Wanganui Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 16038, 31 January 1920, Page 4

THE VACANT PORTFOLIOS.

The course followed by the Prime Minister of postponing the reconstruction of the Ministry until he can have a meeting with the members of his party does not appear to have made his task any easier. The idea that there should be a free exchange of views between the Prime Minister and the members of the party before the selections are made is in itself sound. Hut its adoption has led to delay in making the reconstruction, which is regrettable, and it has given an opportunity for a good deal of wire-pulling, which is very undesirable. Public bodies have gone the length of passing resolutions urging the claims of their member to a portfolio, and no doubt these resolutions have been forwarded to the Prime Minister with a request for his "favourable consideration.” All this, as the N.Z. Herald points out, is very undignified: it tends to lower the status of the Ministerial office, and our contemporary naturally would bo sorry to think that Mr Massey would be in the slightest degree influenced by any propaganda of the kind. The Herald goes on to say: The Prime Minister’s duty is very clear. 'Ho has to select the ablest men of the party, he must see that every man entrusted with a Department is capable of administering and controlling it, and he must fit each member of the Ministry into the place for which he is host qualified. The task is a delicate and difficult one, and it is made ho easier by the methods adopted by some of the “candidates.” The sooner Mr Maeaey faces the situation and comes to a decision the better for the country. In the meantime, canvassing should bo a disqualification.