NO MINISTER OF LANDS

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 871, 18 July 1910, Page 8

NO MINISTER OF LANDS

IS THE PRIME MINISTER OVERWORKED? READJUSTMENT OF PORTFOLIOS URGED. "We bare virtually no Minister for Lands at present," remarked Mr. Russell, M.P. for Avon, during a debate in tho House on Friday. Mr. Russell went on to say that it was true that tho Prime Minister held tho portfolio of Lands, but he was unable to do justice to it owing to. the number of- other portfolios which he held. No matter how great a genius Sir Joseph Ward might be as an administrator, it was impossible for him to carry on his shoulders the burden of the Premiership, the Ministerehip of Finance, the Miuistership. of Post and Telegraphs, and of various subordinate Departments, as well as the portfolio of Lands, which in his opinion was next in importance, to that of the Premiership, fie hoped that before long a member would be selected to take over that portfolio, and that the member selected- should be one who was thoroughly progressive, and whose aspirations were in the direction of a maximum of settlement, and not be merely a faddist. , For himself, he would like to see oelected a member with views similar to those of the Hon. T. Y. Duncan and his predecessor, the Hon. Sir John ,M'Kenzie, who made a study day and night as to hoi? it would be possible 'to put a larger numbur of settlers on the , land. s A Puz2le to Members, Mr. T. E. Taylor, who spoke later in the debate, declared that the.duties in regard to the portfolio of Lands were sumcient to engage the whole of the time of almost any ordinary man. How it was possible for the Prime ■ Minister to also discharge the duties with, reference to the portfolios of Post and Telegraphs, Finance, and Lands was a standing puzzle, to members of the House as well as. to the people outside. He (Mr. Taylor) was certain of this: that the Lands Department was one of vast importance/ not only for to-day, but also for the future, that it might quite well engage the attention and labours of a Minister without his. time being interfered with by any other duties of any other kind. It would, ho thought, be in the interests of land settlement' if Sir Joseph Ward himself, devoted tho whole of his time—and he' would trust his judgment, ? although.Sir Joseph was not a farmer—-to go into the merits of lands proposed to be acquired and those already held, and how they should be occupied. "I am quite sure," added Mr. Taylor, "that in addition- to the multitudinous duties which Sir Joseph has to perform in conneotion with other Departments, | that] he cannot bring that detailed examination of the lands of this country which is required if we are to have the best settlement now or in tho future." Reflection on the Party. Mr. Massey, • Leader of the Opposition, in referring to the matter, said that he agreed with Mr. Taylor in that it was somewhat incongruous that the Prime Minister should be burdened with tho portfolio of Lands as we'll as' otherportfolios. Continuing, he remarked; "I can't understand him doing so; and I am not thinking only of the fact that bo has had no practical experience on the land either as a farmer or as a settlor. Sir Joseph now holds so many other portfolios that he cannot possibly give the-necessary, amount of. time to that of Lands. ' His occupancy of She position is to my mind a reflection on 'his colleagues, and, indeed, on the whole of his party. It is practically saying that none of them are capable of holding the position. There is really only one farmer in the Ministry, the Hon. D. Buddoj who holds another portfolio, but there are surely men among the Government party to whom it could be given. In my opinion, tho portfolio should bo held by a North Island menibor, for the greater part of the remaining unoccupied lands are in. this island, and if the portfolio were so placed it would be an advantage.to both islands." In conclusion, Mr, Massey.said that he did not know how long the Government were going to remain on the Treasury Benches, but if he thought that they were for any length of time he would suggest that Mr. Fowlds, although he was a single-taxer, or either Mr. Ell or Mr. Laurenson, who were staunch leaseholders, should be sent on to bush sections, and care taken to see that they made their living on them alone during the nest three years. "At the end of that time,".added Mr. Massey, "if any one of them survived they would be capable of taking up the position of Minister for Lands." (Laughter.) A Name Suggested. In regard to this matter, Sir. Anderson, M.P. for Mataura,. said that he fciiL-w one man in the Ministry who would make an excellent Minister for Lands, and that was the Hon. T. Mackenzie. To his mind Mr. Mackenzie held sound views, on the land question. Mr. T. E. Taylor: But is he a fanner? Chorus of. members: A farmer? • Mr. Anderson-: Well, if he is not a farmer, he-has done a lot of good for tho. farmers,in the south, and for myself I believe that hu has been a farmer. As the debate on the question at issue-was at this stage adjourned until t'he next sitting day, no opportunity was afforder! for further remarks on the subject