The Guardian (And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times.) FRIDAY, MAY 4th, 1923. SUSPENDED ANIMATION.

Hokitika Guardian, 4 May 1923, Page 2

The Guardian (And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times.) FRIDAY, MAY 4th, 1923. SUSPENDED ANIMATION.

There was a serious complaint from the local bodies disclosed at this week’s meeting of the Westland County Council which. unfortunately. is rather general throughout the Dominion in regard to the hold up of public business following the Prime Minister’s immersion in by-elections. Everything has to be deferred to await Mr Massey’s pleasure and that is governed hv the course of by-elections which, for the time Icing are on the tapis. Telegraphing from Wellington, at the beginning of the week, a press correspondent remarked: “Whatever the result of the Oamaru election, it is hoped by public servants in Wellington that administrative matters under ministerial control will now begin to resume normality, because during the last two months there has been scarcely an important Cabinet decision for the guidance of heads of Dcpaitments, while at least two important appointments are held in suspense. One is that of Public Service Commissioner to fill a vacancy nearly two months old. There will also he an assistant Commissioner to appoint. Another high position not filled owing to the inability of Ministers to consider these matters undbr the peculiar political conditions is that of head of the joint Departments of Government Life Insurance and State Fire Insurance. The present head, Mr Richardson, announced his retirement some weeks ago, but is holding office until a successor is nominated. Returned soldiers all over the Dominion anxiously await the results of the Revaluation Commission’s inquiries into tho financial position of soldier settlers. Tho majority of the Commissioners have completed their work, but no reports are available to the public and the unfortunate illness of the Minister of Lands may cause further delay even when the Cabinet resumes its functions. The Wellington “Post” is concerned about wider national questions, and expresses an earnest hope that the Oamaru election will end without more informalities and that there will be no need for more election 'petitions. “The public,” it says, “has had enough of short passions Rr i<l

other happenings which take Ministers and members of Parliament away from the main business of government to fight over who shall govern. Since the general election—and that, has been over almost five months—there lias been nothing hut uncertainty and talk about it. The country v. ill bo pleased indeed when the Oamaru election is out of the way, so that the Government may settle down to more important business, not the least of which is the determination of New Zealand policy and representation for the Imperial Conferences which are to be held in October.” Mr Massey put in a very futile time at Oamaru, and lost far more than the election. His prestige in the country as a whole was seriously tarnished by the tactics he. adopted. The Premier made himself essentially cheap,” and pursued a line of campaign which was not worthy of the dignity of bis high office. It is one thing to go into an electorate and deliver a policy speech or defend the Government policy, but it is quite another matter for a Prime Minister to tout through the whole electorate lor vot-. s for a candidate who surely should hav ; standing and experience enough to speak for himself—seeing that be was an ex-Ministor. However, Mr Mrssey fought the fight his own way and has to take the consequente cf this action. Returning to the matter of neglected public business, tbo question of dealing with timber royalties is a pressing matter to about a score of County Councils in the two Islands. On February 22nd an impressive deputation waited on .Mr Massey at Wellington and he promised definitely to set up a Commission to go into the matter. By the time March 22nd arrived, not,king had been done, and the Piemior (then engaged in the Tauranga light) promised attention on bis return to Wellington. Next April 22nd came along, and at that time Mr Massey was immersed in ilic albur at Oamaiu. Again came the hurried telegraphic message from the seat of war that the matter would lie dealt with (Mi his return to Wellington ! M e are hurrying on now to May 22nd., end the local bodies are wondering what will happen if another political contest arises suddenly. Mr Massey still procrastinates though the matter is a simple cue on which he lias made a definite promise and a lew brief words to bis shorthand typiste would set the wheels of justice in motion. How long is tbo country going to put up with this neglectful and unfair method of attending to tin* public business ’