The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. MONDAY, MARCH 7, 1927.

Hokitika Guardian, 7 March 1927, Page 2

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. MONDAY, MARCH 7, 1927.

THE, .MINISTER’S UNHAPPY I.OT. Ouii political correspondent at Wellington in his letter published on Saturday. indicated that the Prime Minister would have a busy and difficult time ahead of him when he was relieved in three weeks’ time of extending the courtesies of the Dominion to the Royal visitors. There are several rods in pickle, so to say, and Mr Coates will require to he very attentive, and perhaps long suffering, with the string of deputations he will have to face. The sawmillers and those interested in the timber industry are girding their loins for an onslaught. The dairy producers are also out for explanations and something more tangible than promises for the future. There is the, growing question of unemployment. and the allied subject of unification. These to sav nothing of finance which involves the revision of the tariff and other pressing political problems, promise a busy Easter tide for Mr Coates. In other words the Government has to face the business of the country seriously and determinedly. Since the last election when Mr Coates’ Ministry swamped the polls on a wave of a great majority, the party has been free from the troubled waters

and rocks ahead The period of the

Imperial Conference and the sequence of the Royal Visit, produced smooths which were no doubt welcome to the Government, but which are coming to an end, and the real business of the country has to be taken up in serious strain. This task calls for a constructive policy of quite a wholesale nature. There is hardly a part of the public administration in regard to which an overhaul is not overdue. Tn point of fact there must be a strong measure of sincere reform, and not merely the name of it to adorn a pnrtv —which so far lias been so bankrupt in the performance of legitimate reforms. There are times when action may be ppstppned, but in regard tn in any ur-

gent, political matters, the drift must cud, and action must ensue. Tho question of land settlement as a means J to unravel the financial troubles of | those who are involved in ruin h,v rea--1 son of the high values on which they were induced to settle, must lie laced; so also must be a mere reasonable settlement policy by which new settlers may bo provided for and an effort made to combat with the menace of unemployment. This in it; elf is a large question, and is now at its crux, and it must be handled with .statesmanship. The lot of the produier. whether it lie in dairy produce or in limber production. has to be consideied. The stagnation in the sale of the butter even at the reduced price now ruling is in need of explanation, and the Prime Minister must tell the producers concerned, how far in his opinion the control system has succeeded or tailed, and if the latter as the present results indicate, what immediate relief he proposes to provide. The limber industry is going to ilio wall through outside competition. Will the Prime Minister define a definite policy to meet that situation and provide a remedy to enable so great an industry to recuperate? There are those industries and financial concerns which are looking for relief in taxation, hut at the same lime there is the outcry for greater expenditure to absorb the unemployed. There is a nice financial problem here awaiting solution. It taxed the fertility of the late Premier without, solution, and it remains to he seen what the present occupant of tho office can do. Very great confidence was reposed in.Mr Coates a few months ago—none could have hoped for more. That confidence has now to lie justified. It is being given out that the parly is losing strength, hut if so. that need not he permanent if the Prime Minister shows statesmanship in this hour of great trial. One way would he to strengthen, his advisers at this crisis. That is considered possible, for there is much criticism, as to the weakness of the Cabinet. Be that as it may. tlio situation has to be faced, and in the next two or three months there must he some real showing of the political stuff the Government is made of.