WELLINGTON NOTES.

Hokitika Guardian, 30 May 1923, Page 1

WELLINGTON NOTES.

PARLIAMENTARY UNDERSECRETARIES. ARE THEY NECESSARY? [Special To Tiie Guardian.] WELLINGTON, Mav 28. After lie had been in office for a year oi two Mr Massey, probably more than half in jest, declared that with live or six capable private secretaries at his disposal ho could run the whole machinery of government without any further assistance. That, 0 f course, was lic 1 ore the Gre a t War, when the responsibilities of ministers were much less harassing than they are at present, and the Dominion was scarcely heeding the big Imperial problems with which it is now closely concerned. Doubtless the 1 lime Minister would have a different tale to tell now. At any rate, he would not imply, even in jest, that his colleagues ol to-day are mere superfluities, tolerated in deference to a long established custom, and that lie and the country would get along just as well without them. Whatever weaknesses

he may have betrayed as a party leader, a lack of appreciation of those of his own choosing associated with him in the Cabinet is not one of them. But it is scarcely credible that he is at the hack of the suggestion that parliamentary under-secretaries, similar to those that do duty iu the British House of Commons should he appointed here. Such a change of front would he justified l>v nothing that lias happened during tho passing years. FROM WAITEMATA. Still, there are the circumstances which seem to cast some suspicion upon Air Massey's consistency'in this matter. The siigestiou for the appointment of parliamentary under-secre-taries, so far as the public lias been allowed to know, came from the member of Wiiitomata, one of tho most amenable henchmen of the Minister, who would he delighted to fly such a kite on behalf of his chief. Then the “Dominion,” which limy he supposed to hi. in tho confidence of tho Govern-

ment. regards the suggestion with distinct favour. “In existing conditions,” it says, “Cabinet Ministers are weighted down with detail, and have inadequate opportunities either of getting into touch with public opinion or of giving careful and deliberate considera-

tion to questions of policy. The appointment of parliamentary undor-so-civtaries would lighten the almost intolerable load now imposed on Ministers and make for working efficiency both during the parliamentary sessions and iu the recess. The comparatively small additional outlay that would be involved is not a very important item to set against the benefits that might he obtained in this way.” The cost might he anything from £5,000 to £2<). 00!) hut it would" he the value of the service that would count. OVER-WORKED MINISTERS It is admitted on all hands that the Prime Minister is over-working himself outrageously in what he conceives to he the interests of the country. Were it not that ho lias at his elbow one of

the most capable and cxpericned secretaries that ever have served a Minister of the Crown lie could not have accomplished one half of what lie has attempted. But even Air Massey spends a good deal of his time and his strength upon matters which do not come strictly within his ministerial obligations. He is out-Seddoning Seddon in the methods ho was wont to denounce in such scathing terms when leading the Conservative Opposition against the Liberal Government. Quite lately lie spent two or three weeks iu the Tannin ga district electioneering, pure and simple, and then hastened away to spend another two or three weeks in the Damnru district mi a similar mission. It is a little ludicrous after these recent exhibitions for the “Dominion” to complain that Ministers have inadequate opportunities of getting into touch with public opinion. But it is only fair to add that Mr Massey is as lavish in the time he gives to deputations and individual callers as !>.■ is in that which he devoted to the intorcsts of hi-, own party. THE PLAIN FACTS.

But everyone acquainted with the fai Is knows perfectly well that while Mr Massey is doing two or three men’s work, week in and week out. his colleagues have little ground to complain of the demands made upon them in this respect. During the session their hours i!;av he long ami tedious, and with the eves of the political world centred on Wellington, their labours injiv be a little more si'reininus than they are

(luring the recess. But for six or seven months in the year their attendance ttpc." their office routine is lightened hv journeying and junketing in all parts of thi' rountry and quite generous holidays at their own homes. I here art* plenty of men in commercial and professional life working longer hours nod hearing greater burdens than da some ~r Mr'Mnssev's colleagues. One effect of the Prime Minister's dominating personality is to relieve the .Ministers, not only (>'f much of their work, but also of a great, deal of their responsibility, and to 'five thorn each an assistant, m to the host of officials already at their beek and call, would make their position still more anomalous by setting two men to do what i- scarcely a one man job.