Hokitika Guardian & Evening Star THURSDAY, MARCH 4th, 1920. A REFORMED MINISTRY.

Hokitika Guardian, 4 March 1920, Page 2

Hokitika Guardian & Evening Star THURSDAY, MARCH 4th, 1920. A REFORMED MINISTRY.

Mr Massey after much protracted delay has re-formed his .Ministry, and looking at the result one is tempted to quote the old saying about the mountain being in labor. The changes are so trifling that one wonders at the mystery and delay about choosing the Ministers. In point of fact the reformed Ministry is only of the nature of a temporary arrangement, for a vital change has to be made in the near future when Sir James Allen departs for London. The present additions to the Caliiiiet—Hons iLee and Parr do not add greatly to the strength of the Ministry, and Mr Massey will c on. tinue to bear the bulk of the work as heretofore. 1 , Mr Lee has been the popular representative for Onmaru over a considerable term. As a successful lawyer, he will make a painstaking Minister of Justice, but outside, of that groove he still has to win his spurs, and it is doubtful if he has the person-

ality to prove a marked success as Mini-

ster. Mr Parr has been chosen no doubt out of compliment to Auckland city, where he has done good service as a Mayor prior to becoming Member. Mr Parr has devoted some thought to matters educational and he should fill that portfolio ivvith some success, though he is not the type of man likely to set Wellington harbor ablaze. Neither are strong platform men, and the: new Ministry is certainly deficient in debating powers and fighters if a numerically strong Opposition party had to be encountered. Fortunately for the Re-formed Ministry it has a very stable majority behind it, nnd votes will be more material than words. In that view the new Ministers will be as acceptable to the party as any others, for there are no outstanding or budding statesmen on the Reform horizon at present—which gives point to tlie fact that Mr Massey will still be the Arlington of the team. The announcement of the re-formation of the Ministry contained the name of the Minister to take up the portfolio of Public Works, in succession to Sir Wm. Fraser who will be translated to the Upper House. The Hon. ,T. B. Coates, a returned • soldier who served with, .distinction in the war, is already winning his spurs as Postmaster General nnd Acting Minister of Defence. Air Coates hails from the North of Auckland and there may be some hint in that fact why lie is to bo Minister of Public Works. His name has been associated with the office for some time, it being generally thought ho had qualifications and experiences for the post superior to any other member of the Cabinet. Air Coates will

have a very full hand if he gives the practical side of the public works policy the necessary attention. There is much required to be done in a detail way, for he will have heavy demands from all parts of the Dominion. There will be somo anxiety hero to find out his attitude regarding the Otira Tunnel. That work does not find favor in the North Island, particularly in Auckland province, and it remains to be seen if Mr Coates is tarred with tho same brush to prejudice against something the good people of Auckland have not come to understand or realise. Air Coates like many another Aucklander does not know the locality, except from hearsay—and that very much garbled.

It is wise for the local bodies to invite Air Coates to come, amongst us, and see things for himself and then form hi s own conclusions first hand. The Otira tunnel project will endure such an

inspection, and wo trust Air Coates will deal fairly with tho proposition.

For the rest, the Ministry has to face very difficult times. It has the ma. jority to do much, and we hope it will not be backward in attempting to do its duty. The next session will be a very important one, and Mr Massey will require a full team to attend to the work of the session. He has taken time to select his colleagues, and the onus is on him to 6ee that his Cabinet generally sets about carrying out the policy of reconstructior he enunciated prior to polling day. H is his time now to make good. Let hin get busy. , —i mm ——ct>