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Hokitika Guardian, 25 October 1929, Page 4

Following the exit of Mr Bruce this week, we now have the entry of Mr Scullin as Prime Minister of the Commonwealth. The~new Prime Minister is essentially fresh for his task. It, is his first experience in Ministerial rank, and he has with him a team not of his own selection, bat the choice of the caucus. Mr Scullin in a broadcast descript on of the Cabinet, speaks well and confidently of his team, and is personally satisfied of their ability to make goad. Although therefore their ministerial administrative capacity is an unknown quan- , tity, it is at least something to learn that the Ministry is entering cheerfully on its task, which it is admitted on all sides is a difficult one. The economic issue is the outstanding one for Australia, which as Mr Scullin has said, plainly requires ‘‘to be put oft its feet.’’ Just how he is going to attack that job is not yet manifest. It might be a good way of, celebrating the Labour victory if all. the Australian strikers went . back to work as" the initial step towards a recovery effort, but there is hot any sign of that happening ! Mr Sc'dlin who is a clear speaker, was able to go through the recent strenuous campaign without saying anyth ng too definite about the Labour policy he would attempt. As regards the Arbitration law, so much in disrepute in Australia, the best Mr SeuHin could say was that the Act would be revised on “sound business lines.” The revision is not the issue, we take it, but the enforcement of the law—for as soon as an award legally made is not accepts ble to the Lnion affected, the members are called out, and the law is defied. Just how the new Ministry will mend this state of affairs is awaited with interest no doubt' all over Australia. Mr Scullin ( in his pre-election speeches promised to he prodigal with money. Funds were to be found for developing gold mines; an unemployed ..insurance system was to be established; compensation to injured workers was to be in-, •reused. were definite promises, but Mr Scullin did not stop to say how the money required for all these social services was to be provided. had other expensive strings to liis political how, including the unification of the railway guages which of bourse will cost a mint of money. Regarding finance, he intends to raise loans in Australia, which policy,; alone means a definite restriction to the amount possible, and. where is the jbal-.' ance to come from to provide for the expensive policy he has outlined P; There is also talk, of a State bank, or rather “peoples bank,” hut it will be necessary to put the financial house in order ere this step be possible. However, we believe Mr Scullin will be a d fferent man in office, to tlie outsider laying his plans. He will have to deal with realities not possibilities, and in that task he w 11 find ,the issues; very definite. . His. task is not" going to be an. easy one, and needs very careful and capable handling,.; ~