WELLINGTION NOTES

Hokitika Guardian, 28 June 1918, Page 4

WELLINGTION NOTES

(.Uur Special (Jorresiiuiideut) IN WAH TIME. MINISTERS’ POINT OF VIEY . WELLINGTON June ‘26. During the last week three Ministers, whose departments concern the public interests quite as closely as do those administered by the absent party leaders, have been expressing their views on public expenditure in war time with a candour which does not suggest they are altogether agreed as w. the propriety of postponing every effort towards the improvement of domestic conditions till the world is absolutely freed from the German menace. The Minister of public Works has reasserted his determination to do noth*ing with the Maugahao hydro-electric scheme, till the war is over, the Minister of Education has been deploring the application of war economies to the education system, and the Minister of Internal Affairs has lj.; n boldly declaring that the war instead of being

made an excuse for inefficiency in local government ought to be more and more a stimulus towards' the utmost

offieionev

THE HYDRO- ELECTRIC SCHEME Sir William Eraser’s attitude is the more difficult to understand. He has not the slightest doubt, bo told the Vigilance Committee of tho Associated Chambers of Commerce, of the great need for the speedy completion of the hydro-electric scheme that would give a tremendous impetus to the productive industries of Wellington, Wanganui, Manawatu, Hawke’s Bay and. Taranaki, and with the results of the ],aki Coleridge scheme in view he was entirely satisfied with its e'conmfc possibilities. Nor did ho anticipate any great difficulty in obtaining the money required for the undertaking. It was the sealcity of labour that prevented him making the beginning with even the preparatory work til] the war was over and normal conditions restored. Needless to say the League that was established at the great meeting in Palmerston North the other day is not going to accept this decision without me’-

a very vigorous effort t o bring a bon its revision.

EDUCATION

The Hon. A. J. Hannn has done much excellent work at the head of the Education Department and is not allowing the ‘“taihoa” policy of some of his eoi leagues to damp his enthusiasm nor to lessen his activities. But the lack of money and, perhaps more effectively, the absence of any sustained public agitation for a more thorough and comprehensive system of education, is very gravely hampering h:is efforts. Tho Minister’s programme is an admirable one in most respects, aiming at making the people of New Zealand in the next generation tho most soundly educated community within the Empire. Nor is the money he requires for his purpose beyond the means of tire Dominion. It would he, indeed, a most excellent investment even when gauged on the less exalted basis of pounds, shillings ana pence. But so far the enonomists have had their wav.

HOSPITALS AND CHARITABLE AID.

No other Minister that has had control of the hospitals and charitable aid institutions had displayed n better understanding of their requirements on the business side than lias the Hon. G. W. Russell. He has effected many reforms that have made for both efficiency and economy and his work is by 110 means yet completed. Yesterday, while the Hon. ,T. A. Hnnan was addressing the Council of Education, the Minister of Internal Affairs was having a heart to heart talk with the members of the Wellington Hospital Board and the representatives of the contributing bodies. What they wanted, he told them, was business like management, wc-11-ordered, vigorous and effective. A conscientious, capable medical officer was not necessarily an efficient director of tho details of hospital management and a change would have to be made in this respect. The two progressive Ministers are fortunate in having the Hon. A. M. Myers, the ActingMinister of Finance, a colleague who is in full sympathy with theso aspirations, restrained only by the need of counting the cost.