ADMINISTRATIVE POLITICS

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 90, 10 January 1935, Page 8

ADMINISTRATIVE POLITICS

Meeting 1 of Cabinet FEBRUARY SESSION OUTLOOK Legislative Programme Ministers of tile Crown began the New Year yesterday afternoon when the first Cabinet meeting was held. Formal business generally was dealt with, the questions for consideration including several departmental matters which will be published to-day in the first issue of the “New Zealand Gazette” for 1035. After the meeting the Prime Minister, the Rt. lion. G. W. Forbes, who is looking exceptionally fit after a sort of shepherd’s holiday on his well-cultivated farm at Cheviot, said that no extraordinary business was discussed.

Apparently there are no political sensations in the background or in the air, and any questing talk about a general election surprise does not even raise a smile. The administrative machine is running smoothly and, quite clearly, no jolt is anticipated. The hustings are far ahead. A short legislative programme will be submitted to Parliament when, next month, it resumes its interrupted session. The Prime Minister yesterday emphasised the understanding at the adjournment last November that important business only would be considered on resumption of the session. Thus minor Bills will be held over until the main session beginning during the winter. Private members will have to exercise patience for a few months longer, and controversial measures such as the Gaming Amendment Bill and the Religious Instruction in Public Schools Enabling Bill will remain in cool storage for a time. It is certain, however, that the Alsatian Dog Bill will be kept on the leash Mortgage Finance. The principal legislative measures will deal with mortgage finance, and there will delay in their presentation to Parliament.. The session doubtless will finish iu time to permit the Ministerial delegates to leave in good time for London and • the commemorative Royal ceremonies there in May. No decision has yet been made regarding the personnel of the delegation. Indeed, the question has not yet received Cabinet consideration. “It will depend on circumstances,” Mr. Forbes remarked, adding that there was no need to trouble about it for about a couple of months. However, in view of .the fact that Empire trade, quotas and the like vyill be the vital topics for discussion at the informal conferences in London it appears likely that more than one Minister will press New Zealand’s interests in a keen round-table contest for business. The question of appointing a successor to the late Mr. F. D. Thomson, who was head of the Prime Minister’s Department and Clerk of the Executive Council, has yet to be considered by Cabinet. It will be difficult to replace him as a secretarial chief,: for no one in the State’s service claims to have anything like his outstanding experience and flair for diplomacy and executive ability. Benefit of Holidays. AU the Ministers who have returned to their suites in Parliament House, appear to have benefited from their Christmas and New Year holidays. The Hon. R. Masters, Minister of Industries and Commerce, is limping a little from a wrench to one of his ankles —a typical footballer’s ankle —and the Hon. C. E. Macmillan is nursing his left hand, following a minor operation to a tendon. Otherwise, Ministers are fit and ready for another year of Lard work. It is said that the announcement of the intention of the Hon. E. A. Ransom, Minister of Lands, to contest his electorate at the next General Election does not indicate an early appeal to the country by the Government, but simply means that he has regained good health and will, be ready for any challenge. The last number Of “Hansard” for the session of Parliament from June 28 to November 10, 1934. has been published. It is the 21st of the series, and the pile makes a formidable tome, containing about one million words. And the session will be resumed next month 1 "