THE WARD CABINET.

Waikato Times, Volume 104, Issue 17582, 11 December 1928, Page 6

THE WARD CABINET.

Sir Joseph Ward has picked his team, and apparently il. is a strong one. Two nf the new Ministers —lion. T. M. Wilford and Sir A. Ngata—in addition to their chief have previously held Cabinet rank. Several olhers have had long experience of Parliamentary life, and will, no doubt, bring into Ihe administration of their respective department Ihe same zest and earnestness they have displayed in furthering the interests of their respective constituencies. Sir Joseph has been compelled, by force of circumstances, to confer Cabinet rank upon one or two members who are new to the political regime, but the recipients of the honour have, enviable records in Ihe trade ami business world, and the acumen and ability Ihey have manifested therein should stand Ihcm in good stead in their new sphere, for there is ample room for keen business sense in the administration of a Government Department. They will enter upon their new dulics untrammelled by the hoary traditions of Ihe Civil Service, and the outcome should lie much desired improvement. Rightly or wrongly the conviction has gained ground of recent, years that the Civil Service has callerl the tunc and business interests have had to do the dancing. The men from the office desk well know just how aggravating the position has become, and will be anxious, no doubt, to afford at least some measure of relief. They will probably have some difficulty in effecting' reforms, lint if they enter upon Iheir task with the determination lo be Ihe heads of their departments in fact as well as in name, Ihey will confer a boon upon Ihe business community which will be greatly appreciated. The Ward Government has now taken up Us task. It has a great opportunity, but it is beset with difficulty in that it will not be able to command an absolute majority in the House. The indications, however, are that there will be little, if any, factious opposition. The Reform and Labour Parties have intimated that they will consider the legislation submitted on its merits and treat il accordingly. A Bill will not be condemned merely because it has been introduced by a Liberal Government. The Cabinet may for the time being have to steer ils course between Scylla and Cliarybdis and it will have to proceed circumspectly. It will, however, be judged at the next general election, not by the measures which it actually succeeds in placing upon the Statute Book, but. upon what il attempts. If Ihe legislation it brings down is in accord with public opinion and calculated to further the interests of the Dominion it will face the next Parliament with much stronger ranks.