WELLINGTON NOTES.

Hokitika Guardian, 7 June 1920, Page 1

WELLINGTON NOTES.

(Our Special Correspondent)

THE PRINCE'S BREAKDOWN

NEIV ZEALAND’S RESPONSIBILITY.

WELLINGTON, .June 4

There are sonic prickling,s of conscience here in connection with the Prince of Wales’s nervous exhaustion in Australia. The “I-told-you-so” people are recalling the warnings they uttered while the royal visitor was passing tlirough New Zealand. J\o robust man of mature age, they now feel privileged to say, could have gone through the task thrust upon the Prince by an inconsiderate Government and a thoughtless people during his tour through the Dominion without suffering, the severest physical and nervous strain. The trouble began at Auckland, was continued at Rotorua, Intensified during the trip to Wellington and reached its climax in the capital city. It is known that while he was here his personal attendants protested mildly against the bardwork that was being imposed upon the Prince, biTt the sorely tried young man would not hear of any modification of the official programme being made on his account, and the breakdown in Aus_ tralia is the result. NON-POLITICAL CONTROL.

Some days ago it was stated in one of the newspapers that Mr Massey admitted the failure of the commissioner .control of the Civil Service and would get buck to the old system of control as speedily as possible. This morning, through the columns of the “Dominion,” ho gives this statement an emphatic denial. “It is,” he says, in a phrase Which in political circles is taken to be equivalent to Calling the other follow by a very hard name, “entirely contrary to fact.” “A Bill,” lie goes on to explain, “is at present being drafted by the Law Drafting Office and will he submitted to Parliament during the coining session, which will strengthen the existing law with regard to non-ppli. tcal control and which will remedy certain defects in the Civil Service Act itself.” Hut while still championing

“non-political” control with all his former ardour, the Prime Minister seems' disposed to somewhat modify his earlier interpretation of the term. EXCEPTIONS. „

In his statement this morning, Air Massey mentions one or two exceptions from flie operation of the Public Service Act. “In saying that,” lie adds to his previous declaration,

stand by what I. said to the deputation which waited upon me some six weeks ago, to the effect that the Government should be consulted in regard to the Administrative Division of the Public Service, which is practically .restricted to permanent heads of Departments.” His critics already are jibing the Minister with having abandoned a very material part of his former platform and , they are not discomfited by his retort that he is considering the “possibility” of bringing the Pubic Trust Office and the Post Office under the provisions of the Act. These two officers have been exempt hitherto because it was felt the nature of their business was unsuitable for commissioner control. It is not expected in well-informed circles that any cliango will be made. CABINET MAKING.

When Mr Massey set about reconstructing bis Cabinet after the dissolution of the National Government it was expected in political circles that Mr J. A .Young, the member for Waikato, would be among the younger members of the Reform Party selected for promotion. Mr Young has not only claims but also qualifications for a place at the Cabinet table and some disappointment was felt by his friends when he was overlooked at the last distribution of portfolios.' It is reported now- from a usually well-informed source, however, that when Sir William Horries retires, os lie may do at any time now, Mr Young will come into his dues and be {fiven a wider sphere for the exercise bi m ability and industry than be has yet enjoyed. Mr Young has not been . among the obvious seekers after office and he has none of the showy qualities of the politician, but be is an indefatigable worker and his promotion would be generally popular.