The Chronicle. PUBLISHED DAILY. THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 1910. THE MINISTER FOR PUBLIC WORKS.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 31 March 1910, Page 2

The Chronicle. PUBLISHED DAILY. THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 1910. THE MINISTER FOR PUBLIC WORKS.

There is a "Fighting Mac" in every country. Tho late Sir Hector Macdonakl was one of the most notable of those - who bore the name, but there have been hundreds of others to win and be known by it, in consequence of deeds which ranged from valour on tho field of battle down to prize-ring truculence. Perhaps New Zealand citizens have not recognised, yet, that there is a striking exemplar of the Fighting Mac. cult in their midst—in the person of the Hon. Roderick McKenzie, Minister for Public Works. Long years before the member for Motueka gained Cabinet rank it was known,- to all Parliamentarians that he "dearly loved a fight," but though on one or two occasions personal violence seemed imminent, the commanding stature of the member for Motueka always ensured that the hostilities were confined to mere words, for no antagonist over thought fit to resort to the fistic arguments with him which have degraded, the proceedings., in other Australasian Parliaments. Now that the Hon. 11. McKenzie is a Cabinet Minister, he bridles his 'hot tongue .admirably in Parliament; but his high feelings must have vent somewhere, and so, on occasions, the local bodies and corporations are made to servo his purposes. It is only a few motnths since the Minister took in hand the task of bringing the Auckland

Tramways Company "up to the sticking point" in regard to installa? tions of improved brakes on the Auckland tramcars. There had been lonig delays and oft-repeated promises of expedition, but finally the Minister decided that the company was making efforts to secure further delays. He set about the matter of expedition, then, with a resourcefulness and. a determination

that speedily made the company, give ' a specific pledge that the new brakes would be installed by >a given date. This end was not reached' until various committees of tJh© House and various deputations from the company and other bodies had been, heard, and the Minister for Public Works entered into tho whole proceedings with an evident zest that showed his enjoyment of the fight. During the negotiations the CliristcTmreh and . Wellington tramways were brought into the ! dispute, and Mr McKenzie ran. a-tilt into them also, and made assertions that wero so startling, in regard to Ghristchuroh, that no newspaper ventui'ed to print them in the exact form that they were made in, though the major part of thorn may be found in " Hansard." A portion, however, did not find rest even in that sepulchre of words, for they were uttered in the Government Whip's room, while only newspaper reporters and a -deputation n'ere present, by way of .reply to protesting representatives of Ghristchurch and Wellington, tramways people. Altogether, it was a memorable occasion, and the Honourable "Roddy," with the light of battle in his eye, obviously enjoyed tho proceedings. In the House —it was 11 a.m. in the dying days of the session—Mr T. E. Taylor was continually dividing the members on gome less or more important point regarding politics, and' every five minutes or so some speaker would have 'his eloquent speech to the Minister interrupted, through the Minister rushing into the House to vote "No!" It was a stirring, exciting time, and the Minister enjoyed it to the full. Wlfile the fighting Minister contended for wide principles no harm resulted, but his latest fightir~ deliverance bears a different aspect, and one that country residents should closely regard, with intent to taking such action as may be necessary to make it clear to the Minister and tho Ministry that there remains a conviction in the public mind that Parliamentary decisions should not be revokable by the Ministry of the day. The latest stand taken up by the Minister for Public Works especially affects the interest and power of every County Council in New Zealand. From the account given below, it seems apparent that one particular County Council has not acted quite as circumspectly as it might have done, but it will ho seen, also, that the MiiuVTer is deducing from this act the right to rui extended power of veto that should not be allowed. The position is stated as follows in the letter of an Auckland corresnondent:— A grant of £250 to tho Hobson County Council was passed during the last session of Parliament for expenditure on the Tangowahinn-Mangnknlii.a road, but when application was made fnr the amount the Minister for Public. Works refused permission for it to be paid. In anticipation of the sum voted n contract for onrth formation was let, and this proceeded until sli'ortii're of funds eilled n hn.lt. The Minister's refu.-nl to disburse the vote is fully set forth in n letter from .him to Mr J. Stnllworthy, M.P., in which he plnces all blame on the governing body. After reforming to several alleged errors made by the council during the process of application for rind granting of the vot?, Mr MeKmzie lays down his position p.s follows: "Any provision made on the appropriations for the construction of public works is merely an authority from Parliament to the Government to expend, public money for that purpose, .and the Minister is empowered, if ho thinks fit to do so, to hand over the money so voted, or any other part thereof to the local authority eoncorned for expenditure on tho authorised work. But the law confers no right whatever on tho local authority to ' demand the money as a right., nor does the warrant issued for the payment of the grant to the local authority confer and absolute right; for, as you will observe, the authority expressly provides that it may be eancjlled by the ' Minister at any time." Tf the Minister is correct in hi.s statement that " several alleged errors" h,rro been ir,;n!p, h;> is justified in his action of withholding the grant (that is to say, temporarily); but when he goes on to contend that the Mini-try of the day is entitle , :!, simply because it thinks fit to do so, to withhold the whole or a. part of any money voted by Parliament for expenditure on specified works, lie 'is taking up an objectionable position. It is a stand, uin fortunately, that has-been taken up by the Government on many occasions, but it is one that the public, and the end especially members of .Parliament, .should contend against whenever any public reference to it is mailr- by a Minister. Cabinet holds office, theoretically, as administrators for Parliament and the people. It is clear, on occasions, that Cabinet is a dictator, but every woil-justified' public protest against tyranny may make it lews hydra-beaded, and help to protect the public rights.