IN A TIGHT CORNER.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1451, 28 May 1912, Page 4

IN A TIGHT CORNER.

The Mackenzie Ministry sprung yet another Royal Commission on the country yesterday—an Education Commission this time—and like the others, it is to present its report by Juno 25. In something like three weeks it is to overhaul our education system, including the taking of evidence at the four chief centres of tho Dominion, and bring clown a report which, if tho order of reference is any indication, may revolutionise tho system. Of course it is quite absurd to expect the Commission to carry out its work satisfactorily within tho time specified. Included amongst those appointed to this Commission are gentlemen well equipped for the task, and also two members of Parliament, who were at one- time school teachers, and may therefore be deemed to possess some knowledge of the matters they will be called on to deal with. It is. perhaps significant that the two members in question were regarded in some quarters as being somewhat discontented with their new leaders. However, be that as it may, it is of course quite impossible for the Commission to do! very much in the time at its disposal. In a semi-apologetic , explanation of tho reasons for rushing the setting up and securing tho reports of these Commissions, the Prime Minister has sought to convey the impression that he could not have secured "the high type of men he had been in quest of" had they thought the inquiries would have been prolonged undertakings. It is surprising that Mr. Mackenzie, who usually is shrewd enough, should have permitted himself to put forward so poor an excuse. It is quite absurd to pretend that the Commissioners he has secured, whatever their merits, are of so high a type as to bo a rarity in the Dominion, and it is equally plain that important investigations such as the Commissions have been appointed to undertake should not be embarked on at all unless they are to be carried out with that thoroughness that alone can ensure a full understanding of the merits and sound judgment thereon. Mr. Mackenzie also stated that the Commissions could apply for an extension of time if they desired it. Unfortunately for the head of the Government, this excuse also in two cases at least will not hold good, for ho has appointed members of Parliament to act on the Commissions who will be required to attend to their 'Parliamentary duties from June 27 onward for some months. If the Commissions they are on arc granted an extension of time in which to report, these members must neglect their duties one way or the other. On this subject of Commissions it is worth noting that the Prime Minister, when he occupied a more modest position in politics held very different views to those which he now expresses, and most people will probably be inclined to agree that his earlier opinions were the more sound. Mr. F. M. B. Fisheb, who has a happy knack of exposing these little somersaults, in the course of an interview with a representative of the Auckland Herald recently, recalled that Mr. Mackenzie, on one occasion when criticising tho "Liberal" Government, remarked that "if the Government, with all the information at its command could not frame a policy that would suit the conditions of the people of the country, then its clear constitutional position was to vacate the benches and let a Ministry take its place that was prepared to give a policy." "That, ,, Mr. Fisher added, is precisely the position we are in at the present time." The member for Wellington Central summed up the situation very neatly Mr Mackenzie's views of Royal Commissions in the days referred to is peculiarly interesting, in view of the mania which has now seized him for appointing them. Here it is:

What have we now in (hj s Minish-v? Modern Christopher Columbuses st'artiiiL' on voyages of discovery, shall v/o "say. on the vessels Kesolutiou and Hoyal t;omin.ssion they are going to sail'or steam to the tune uf all tho tenmw, and inevitably they will reach the port of No where, get rid of sump of (heir tronl-lr some crew, ship other land lubber*' ,u,,j then slip their anchors with (he first favouring breeze. Mr. Mackenzie, who is not lacking in a sense of humour, will probably appreciate the fact that his remarks condemnatory of the "Liberal" Government, of a bygone clay lire applicable with even greater forco to his uwn Übveniiiient to-tlay. It is a liltlfi late in Hip day tosol, sail un a voyaKi! of discovery. He. is likriv U> find himself slupwrecked nn; ho."lias proceeded very far on his journey in search of the policy which his (!overnnienl has proved incapable of producing.