WELLINGTON TOPICS

Hokitika Guardian, 30 September 1931, Page 2

WELLINGTON TOPICS

COALITION CABINET. :• '•> -.. Si •> HARMONIOUS COMPANY. (Special Correspondent). W ELLING-TON, September 29. ■ln ,the course-of a homely chat yesterday, devoted rather to the occurrences of the past than to the prospects of the future, the Prime Minister—“ George” as he was in the family group—had many stories to tell of his trip Home to the Imperial. Conference and of his warm and-generous reception by the British people, whom, of course, as he said, wished their hospitality extended to New Zealand foik individually and ten masse. It being his first trip abroad and his first introduction to the heart of 'the Empire he had been more than a little dubious of'his ability to adequately discharge the task that Sad been thrust upon him by the circumstances of the Dominion's obligations. But no sooner were his feet fast upon the soil of the Home L<and than lie realised he was among friends, all anxious to be of service , to him and ready to supply his every need. THE PRESENT. The few words the Dominion’s ambassador had to say concerning the deliberations of the Coalition Cabinet were strictly non-commitfll j but, one might #ay, hopeful, As a matter of fact, he .said, a great deal of ground still had to •be covered and the next few days would be occupied by rnf»t= ters of very considerable consequence. Meanwhile he hod found the columns concerning the progress of the Cabinet deliberations published in the city newspaper s distinctly interesting and on the whole quite fairly informative. Ministers themselves were working in perfect harmony, with the one obvious view of serving the interests of the country and its people to the best advantage. The Prime Minister did no even mention the forthcoming election—whether it was likely to be towards the close of the present year or towards .the end of the’next —and this any way in a subject on which even the newspaper men do not worry him or hi 9 colleagues. THE TWO PARTIES. The two Wellington daily papers appear to be fairly well satisfied with tho construction of the Coalition Governmetnt, ,the “Evening Post” having stood out strenuously for “Fusion,” in some shapbf or another, • and the “Dominion” not’'-being adverse to this arrangement’'so long as Reform had its fair share of representation in-the

er afield, however, are not yet quite rare that Mr Coates’s final surrender to “Fusion” is just'fied and are seeking consolation in the belief that' the strength of the new Oahinet lies with Reform. Their faith in this respect lies solely upon the promotion of Mr Downie Stewart to the Treasury, where he would have been long ago hut for his loyalty to his party. It never has been questioned that his intimate acquaintance with national finance, to say nothing of his other advantages makes him the right custodian of the portfolio the Prime Minister has allotted to him. RETIRING MINISTERS. Within twenty-four hoilrs of the announcement of the formation of the Coalition Cabinet stories were in circulation to the effect that Ministers retiring from the United Cabinet were giving Mr Forbes a “bad time.” Mr Atmore, the retiring Minister of Education, was represented as occupying I close upon two hours of the Prime { Minister’s time in protesting against h;3 removal from office to make room for his successor, and it was implied that other Ministers, perhaps in a smaller measure, had followed his deplorable example. As a matter of fact Mr Atmore’s interview with his cliief did not occupy more than twenty minutes; had to do purely with departmental affairs and was entirely coidial. Other Ministers ,like Mr Atmore, took ; opportunities to thank Mr Forbejs lor i the consideration and assistance he i always had given them, and assured him of their cordial goodwill and help in the future. None of the kindly .e ] lations that existed between the .V.iri.:- ] ter and his colleagues were in any v; y I disturbed by the parting. i