MANY PORTFOLIOS

Wanganui Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 160731, 18 August 1920, Page 9

MANY PORTFOLIOS

PREMIER NOT OYERWORKED BREEZE IN THE HOUSE. (By Telegraph—Special to “Herald”). WELLINGTON, Aug. 18. A temporary measure authorising a member of the executive as distinct from a responsible Minister to exercise the latter’s functions, created a mild storm in the House last night owing to the pointed, fashion in which Mr Veitch called attention to the Premier’s too heavy responsibilities. The Bill, it seemed, will enable Sir Win. Fraser to act as Minister of Internal Affairs during the Hon. G. J. Anderson’s illness, but the member for Wanganui described it as a reflection on the Prime Minister and his party. “I would not cast reflection on the Premier such as he does himself by this measure,” he said. “The question really is whether there is a Minister capable of carrying the additional responsibility. The House says ‘Yes,’ but the Prime Minister says ‘No.’ ” Mr Massey; I say most emphatically that it is as well you are contradicting yourself. “Your Bill,” retorted Mr Veitch.

Continuing, he attacked the Premier’s policy of shouldering a multiplicity of portfolios. He thought that if members of Cabinet were as strong as they ought to be they should be able to manage the portfolio of Minister of Internal Affairs, as the Premier was relieving them of a number of the most important. Departments. Mr Veitch went on to say that when the present Prime Minister was in his position he described the then Government as a heretogenous lot. He (Mr Veitch) thought that the term might be applied. to the Government of to-day. It contained the anti-gambling clement, anti-drink element, racing supporters, conservatives and direct actionists. The Prime Minister was overworked and was carrying too many portfolios. The burden ought to be better distributed over the Ministry, tie had a suspicion that Cabinet was seriously short of a financier.

Mr Massey replied that it was not a new item for a member of the executive to take part in administration of the peoples’ affairs. He was only sorry that the measure had been made a vehicle for personal attack. As far as the member for Wanganui was concerned, grumblers, he reminded him, never did any good for themselves or the country. He said this in the spirit of an elder brother. “I hope that now his attention has been called to the bad practice he will drop it.” Regarding portfolios, Mr Massey declared: “Don’t think I am carrying too many or that I am overworked. What portfolios have I ? Finance, Railways and Mines and a number of smaller matters. One of these is so well organised that it does not demand my attention for more than ten minutes of the day.” He did not feel that he was carrying too much responsibility. In fact he enjoyed it. It was a splendid thing, he thought, that the Prime Minister should become acquainted with the Departments. He had acquired more knowledge during the last six months than ever previous. Members will recollect this -when their time comes, hut that won’t be just yet.