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Hokitika Guardian, 2 March 1920, Page 2

The valedictory speech of yir Joseph Ward to his late constituents could not be read without a recognition of i hi s personal worth, and the realisation tnat a man such as he will be missed j greatiy from the counsels of the State. The loss is one which the Dominion as a whole will feel for in Iris high office of Minister, first as first lieutenant to Mr Seddon, then as Prime Minister and afterwards associated with Mr Massey, Sir Joseph did yeomen service. The Dunedin “Star” put it fairly the other day when it stated that “Sir Joseph Ward deserves well of his country and the Empire. As the author of the cheap money scheme he helped many a score of men who badly needed help. As an administrator he has a fine record. As Minister of Railways he followed a policy of progress such as is sadly needed at this time; as Post-master-General he was likewise progressive and safe; and as Colonial Treasurer he attained .a high standard. As an Imperialist he wielded a. big influence among British statesmen at Home, and New Zealand’s interests were always safe in his hands.” His record is certainly a- fine one, and that he should (be ousted from Parliament becomes more and more surprising. Truly as lie says the parliamentary life is a precarious one, which indicates that demo s is a- hard taskmaster, or else is prone to serious mistakes. We are too close yet to the event to gnage the loss, but the trying times ahead will afford a view of the situation. 'As holidays go, Sir .Joseph • Ward has well-earned a respite, but for the sake of the country and an appreciation of the services of the men who give their best talents for the public good it would have been better had the holiday 7 been possible under a different set of circumstances. New Zealand appears to bo running along under a one man Government. Mr Massey has a grievous burden to bear, far more than he can carry comfortably, and it is high time his Ministerial team were overhauled, and fresh horses included in the place of those .now temporarily carrying on. It is not fair to Mr Massey that he should be so overburened and the wonder is that he is bearing the burden so well. Many* things must be neglected meantime under the present makeshift arrangements. Certainly’ it is not fair to the Dominion that the administration should be carried on incapably as it must be at present without responsible Ministers controlling the Departments, and organising a proper policy and sys—--1 tem .of administration. It is going on for three months since the election, and .since the Prime Minister was aware of the need of /reorganising his team. The country certainly wants its public works and financial, departments put ■ upon a stable footing a s regards ad_ • ministration, and this is not possible under the present temporary arrange- , j ments. - The need for a settled Minij ster of Public Works is most urgent. fl Especially so is this required in regard to the Otira tunnel works, so that some finality 7 might be gleaned regarding the completion of a work of such magnitude. Mr Massey certainly has had ample breathing space now, and there is no reasonble excuse for further delaying the appointment of the new Ministers.