The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is in corporated the West roast Times. WEDNESDAY, JULY 14, 1926.

Hokitika Guardian, 14 July 1926, Page 2

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is in corporated the West r oast Times. WEDNESDAY, JULY 14, 1926.

AX INTERESTING FJGI'EE. The Prime Minister lias been long enough in office to show something of his mettle. It is not too much to say that the Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates is making good. Mr Coates had big shoes to fill, but lie must l ave been something of an apt pupil, for lie lias ceased to shuffle along, arid now walks upright, striding along and doing his job. At the time of the election Mr Coates was credited with super-oowers. The exaggeration was excusable in the circumstances, and the Prime Minister has since explained his own part in the affair. Mr Coates is filling the hill as Prime Minister, and.with youth on his side, promises to go far in the political history of this country. He is extremely frank in his observations about men and matters, and a case in point is in mind when last week he publicly rehuked a member of his party for an indiscretion ns a party man in taking the Prime Minister to task on a simple inatfer of detail. Mr Conies jirade it

plain be was not going to accept this class of public criticism, and his correction of his follower was doubtless made public not alone for tbe benefit of the actual culprit, but to discipline other members of tbe party who had shown some desire as a tail to do a little in the way of wagging the dog. The incident had its humorous side for the House, and would be pleasing, particularly to members' on tbe Opposition benches, but the rally was indicative of the personal strength ol mind ami character of the Prime Minister, who w;is going to lead his party ami not he driven hy it. There was a lesson to that effect to all the members of the Reform Party, and Mr Coates did the party as a whole a good service in giving the. little lesson on party discipline. Mr Coates having established his prestige, and looking upon him as a very interesting figure by reason of the majority he commands in both Houses, the country will be expecting great tilings from him. In particular at this juncture, wise leadership will lie looked for in regard to finance. The Budget speech last week was not very helpful in that direction, for it gave no real lead as regards economy in general administration/' and that is a direction in which the policy of the country must go if it is to escape from the present really serious financial difficulties. The administration of the country is a very costly matter. Over ten millions of money will have to be found this financial year by way of annual appropriations for the conduct of tbe Government Departments. And the disquieting fact about this huge sum is that it is about £340,000 more than the same Departments cost last financial year. We were told through the press some little time ago about an economy committee going into the cost of the public service, but there is not any sign of its good work in the figures circulated with the Budget. Mr Coates is credited with having a capable Minister of Finance at his side, but the figures we have quoted are such that tbe Prime Min istcr should interest himself immediately in a problem which affects the national prosperity very greaHy. The civil service is overburdening the country, and the figures indicated above show what is happening. Mr Coates, as the leader lias the chief responsibility in these matters, for it is to the head of the Government, rather than his satelites, that the people look to in all circumstances. It will be a pleasure therefore to find that Mr Coates is using bis position and prestige to bring about real reforms within the Government of the country for tbe financial good of the country.