The Waikato Times With which is Incorporated The Waikato Argus. THURSDAY. JUNE 21, 1923. THE MINISTRY.

Waikato Times, Volume 97, Issue 15270, 21 June 1923, Page 4

The Waikato Times With which is Incorporated The Waikato Argus. THURSDAY. JUNE 21, 1923. THE MINISTRY.

The Hon. W. P. Massey, the Prime Minister, yesterday made the longantioipated announcement concerning the appointment of a colleague to succeed Hon. E. P. Lee, who was twice defeated for Oamaru-: The Premier's choice has fallen upon Mr R. F. Bollard, the member for Raglan, the Senior Government Whip, an estimable man, a conscientious mem> ber of the House, and a loyal unswerving supporter of the Government. Outside his own electorate, however, he is practically unknown as he has consistently worked behind the scenes, and his appointment to the Cabinet will unquestionably occasion considerable surprise throughout the Dominion. It is recognised outside the Cabinet itself that its one great essential is administrative strength," for with one or two notable exceptions the individual Ministers oannot be Classified as "strong," and it is doubtful if the latest addition will Increase the number of exceptions. All are overshadowed by the Premier hitoself, who proudly boasted a few months ago that with Oiie or two efficient secretaries he could carry the whole administrative burden himself. This may have beon said in a jocular vein, but there is a-growing conviction that that is the direction in Which affairs are trending, that Mr Massey's colleagues are becoming mere ornamental heads Of departments who are not expected ito display initiative or to shoulder responsibility. This is unfair to Ministers, atid certainly is not good for the country. The people expect men who reoeive high salaries to administer public affairs to-do their job, to make themselves conversant with the details of their offices, and to be something more than animated rubber stamps. In all probability if members of the House prove sufficiently amenable (of which at present there is considerable doubt) Mr Massey will take his departure for the Imperial Conference early in September, and jt was natural to expect under these circumstances that in appointing a now colleague he would have endeavoured, to make an appointment that would have strengthened his combination all round. He appears, however, to "have deliberately ignored several of his supporters who possess the necessary' attributes, and whose record of loyal service equals that of the member for Raglan. In commenting upon the probabilities the Otago Daily Times voiced senti-. ments which will be generally endorsed. It said: "What is most desirable and necessary is that the member selected for the performance of important administrative duties should have the essential qualification of fitness. We hesitate to express either approval or disapproval of Mr Bollard because very little opportunity has beon presented to us of appraising his ability to justify the preferment which he is to receive. He has contributed little to the debates in the House. He has been a comparatively silent member. In recent years, he has acted as senior whip to the Reform Party and has in that capaoity necessarily been brought into a position of intimate relationship with the Government. A man may, however, be an excellent whip without possessing any of the qualities that are really desirable in a Minister. Any suggestion, therefore, that the position of whip is to be regarded as bestowing upon the occupant any claim to be regarded as in the direct linei of succession to a place in the Ministry is not one that can be accepted without serious reserve. We are tempted, moreover, think that there are several members of the -Reform Party in the House who would fill a Ministerial office more successfully than Mr Bollard, and 'that the new Minister will prove hardly equal to the task of carrying his full share ' of the duties and responsibilities of office. On the other hand, there are powerful reasons why Mr Massey should be at particular pains just now to avoid making any appointment that would have the effect of weakening the Government. Not only will he himself shortly be absent from New Zealand for a period of some months, but the Minister of Lands is prevented by serious indisposition from giving his attention to public business. In these circumstances, the new Minister should be a man who can undertake not a smaller but a greater share of administrative work than was discharged by Mr Lee. Otherwise, if efficiency is to be secured in the control of the departmental services, responsibility must be ' thrown more and more upon the shoulders of the more capable Ministers. That is a consideration which can scarcely have been absent from the mind of Mr Massey in deciding upon the present appointment."

It is difficult to believe that in making the appointment Mr -Massey gave due consideration to the Qualifications necessary Xor a successful administrative head, for had he done so the portfolio would in all probability have been bestowed elsewhere. It is admitted that Mr Massey has been placed in a somewhat perplexing position. This, however, was largely due to his own procrastination. Had he made the appointment promptly the difficulties would not have been encountered.