THE NEW PREMIER

Hokitika Guardian, 28 May 1930, Page 5

THE NEW PREMIER

MESSAGE TO FELLOW CITIZENS

(By Telegraph—Per Press Association.)

WELLINGTON, May 28. After being sworn in, the Prime .Minister (the Jinn. G. W. Forbes; handed the following statement to the press:—

To my fellow citizens. On assuming the office of Prime Minister, I am fortified in facing my responsibilities by many indications that my well-wishers are to he found among all classes of the community, and in a personal sense I am happy to say also among political opponents.

From those who may definitely differ

from me politically, I know the Government now taking office will receive consideration and that there will be national and imperial occasions upon which then- will feel justified in giving us their disinterested help. Taking office under circumstances of

H'ffimlty regretful and parting from active association with my distinguished leader (Rt. Hon. Sir Jesph Ward), whose outstanding services to the Empire and the Dominion will ever he remepibered, I am undertaking a high duty with a due sense of humility, and an earnest desire to serve the public well to the fullest’ extent of my powers.

I am conscious of limitations, but I shall strive earnestly to do mv best for the conntrv in which I was born, and in which all my interests are centred. I speak on my own behalf and that of mv colleagues when I sav we will administer our offices with the full realisation that the Government must preserve the rights and advance the welfare of the whole community and not of any sectional interest. We shall aim at well balanced consideration of all factors contributing to national advantage. A Government which docs not enjoy a working majority is necessarily restricted m the pace at which it can progress on policy matters, hut tliis difficult factor in our present Parliamentary position must not deter us from proceeding with many important measures on which there will doubtless be a difference of opinion, though the objects are of such great national importance that we may fairly anticipate from all parties in Parliament their aid in reaching the best solution.

Notably this should be the case with the problem of unemployment which we will ask Parliament to approach with a desire to provide plans for a more permanent remedy than it has previously been possible to evolve. We have the deepest sympathy with those of our citizens, who through no fault of their own, are unable to find employment. It will be our strenuous endeavour to alleviate their hardships. In submitting proposals to Parliament we have the advantage of the additional knowledge of causes and incidence of unemployment which will prove of great assistance. It is a difficult problem and the Government is fully seized of the fact that in public, as well as in private affairs, finance is a matter of vital importance. It is recognised that solid progress cannot be made unless the State pays its way, and that sound public finance is a condition precedent to the welfare of the community. Accordingly, the people of the Dominion can rest assured that this all important subject will receive from the Government the earnest attention on its merits. Every endeavour will be made to see that the necessary burden on taxpayers is distributed as equally as possible and that this burden is not increased, if it can possibly he avoided, having regard to the legitimate needs of the Dominion as a whole.

Requests for the State to provide n ddition:il service or undertake additional works will be considered in terms of taxation. In this connection it must be recognised that while there are many projects that misdit be under-tn'-on f f , r the benefit of the people generally, we must consider whether the

cpun+ry can really afford such services in the light of present committments

and the relative economic position of producers and other sections of the community.

In private life most of us have to forego many desirable tilings, because we cannot afford them and the same inexorable economic laws must applv to thp State, which of course merely means the people organised as a community. The only difference is that it is much more difficult in public matters to determine what we can, and what we cannot afford. In all such matters it rests with the Government to weigh the advantage against the cost from the point of view of the people, and the Government can be relied upon to do its utmost to promote the true interest of the country. , At the same time, so far as the ex-

isfing services are concerned, every effort will be made to obtain economy in administration, while doing justice to public servants in the matter of renumeration and to ensure that' taxpayer gets value for his money. These are the broad principles underlying the financial p licy of the Government. It is my intention to issue at the earliest possible moment a more comprehensive statement and regarding the present financial position of the Dominion and other vital factors contributing to the Dominion’s prosperity such as closer land settlement, our secondary industries, and a wise programme of public works development will receive the closest attention of the Government. The sound principles of Liberalism, which have played such an important part in the progress of New Zealand in the past will still

remain a guiding spirit of the policy of the future.

.It shall he assisted by able colleagues who are now experienced administrators, and who can he relied upon to take their full share, of tne responsibility which the new Government is about to assume.

THE NEW MINISTRY

WELLINGTON, May 28.

The now Cabinet of the Forbes Government is announced. The following is thp list of Ministers with their portfolios and departments:— Hon. G. W. Forbes, Prime Minister, Minister of Finance. External Affairs. Customs, Stamp Duties, and in charge of the Public Trust, Legislative, State Advances, Land and Income Tax, Scientific and Industrial Research and the High Commissioner’s Department.

Sir Joseph Ward, Member of the Executive Council (without portfolio).

Hon. E. A. Ransom, Minister of Lands, Commissioner of State Forests, and in charge of Land Settlements, Scenery Preservation, Discharged Soldiers Settlement, and Valuation Department. * Sir Anirana Ngata, Minister of Native Affairs, the Cook Islands, and in charge of the Native Trust, Government Life Insurance, State Fire Insurance Departments, Member ui the Executive Council representing the Native Race.

Hon. H. At in ore, Minister of Education, and in charge, of the Electoral Department. Hon. W. A. Veitali, Minister of Railways.

Sir Tlios. Si dev, Attorney-General, and Leader of the Legislative Council.

Hon. W. B. Taverner, Minister of Public Works, Transport, and in charge of Roads, and Public Buildings. Hon. De La (Porrelle, Minister of Internal Affairs, Industries and Commerce, and in* charge of Tourist and Health Resorts, and Publicity, also Registrar-Generals, Statisticians, Laboratory. Audit, Museum, and Advertising Departments. Hon. J. G. Coibtbe, Minister of Defence, Justice, and in charge of Pensions, Police, and Prisons Departments.

Hon. J. B. Donald, PostmasterGeneral, Minister of Telegraphs, Marine, and in charge of Friendly Societies, Inspection of Machinery, Public Service, Superannuation, and National Provident Fund Departments. Hon. A. J. (Stallworthy, Minister of Health, and in charge of'Mental Hospitals Department. Hon. S. G. Smith, Minister of Labour, Immigration,, and in charge of Printing and Stationary Department.

Hon. A. J. Murdoch, Minister of Agriculture and Alines.