The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is in corporated the West Coast Times. FRIDAY, JANUARY 15, 1932. THE TASK.

Hokitika Guardian, 15 January 1932, Page 4

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is in corporated the West Coast Times. FRIDAY, JANUARY 15, 1932. THE TASK.

With the members of the Cabinet iti'.-.'sembled alter their respite following strenuous weeks, the Ministry must: now be settled down to their task. The interval would have afforded the time to recriminate on matters of pressing importance and to form proposals to cope with the difficulties tin -sight. Th,e Ministers coujd speculate also oil world events, but these generally are far from helpful, and in point of fact, tend to make the task in New Zealand one of protected difficulty. There has -been one ray of hope in the recent day»— the announcement that a treaty of trade with Canada has been agreed to, and awaits the necessary confirmation- This achievement is to me credit of Hon, W, Downie Stewart, who has no doubt done the best for the .Dominion in the negotiations ait Honolulu, The Government must now be considering matters of serious mo, rrfent, involving finance and employment particularly, On the financial side, it is feared, despite the attempt to 'balance, the Budget, that the year will close with a deficit. On bis return this will be a matter for •special consideration by Lion. Stewart, and it should be known early if Parliament will meet next month to grapple with the situation. Regarding unemployment, the Government must needs try to shape a policy to meet the position. The attempt so far does not tend to wipe out the incubus, rather to encourage it, and in fact, establish it as a permanent burden o-n the country. There is therefore need for special attention to the subject which if improved, will be of immense value to the country as a whole. The Government may not borrow abroad now, and that while tying the hands of Ministers in regard to the simpliest way of providing work, has its advantages- in that the permanent debt in the way of loans is not being added to seriously meanwhile. But Ministers no doubt would be glad of a simpler way than now presents itself to meet tlie difficult position, Actually New Zealand will have a hard road to travel for some time. A. trade revival depends so much on outside developments far beyond the control of anyone or set of men in New ZeaTand. With immediate events so clouded, unless the Lausanne Conference in Europe this month helps to clear the situation, there Is still an indenite distance to go before the veil can lift, Meantime the obligation is on tfie Government to' exercise Internal control, and continue the reorganisation and readjustment of the public administration to the reduced national income. This is not pleasant, but it must be faced as a dire necessity in the extremity of the country. The Hon. A. D. McLeod is mentioned as the new Minister in place of the Hon, D. Jones, defeated at the polls. Politics enjoyed a game of tjt-for-tat in these two instances. Mr Jones (Reform) was defeated by Mr Connolly (United) just as Mr McLeod (Reform) defeated Col. McDonald (United). Mr McLeod is an experienced Minister and he will give useful counsel in the Cabinet room, in the direction of economy now so necessary. The passing of Mr Jones from the Ministry will be regretted for be was the first Minister of Mines for some tjrne to show a practical interest in alluvial gold mining. If Mr McLeod succeeds to that portfolio, it is to be hoped he will take up matters where Dir Jones has had to lay them down, and continue the good work, for no doubt with encouragement gold mining promises to come into its own again. Altogether the task' of the Ministry is an unenviable one, but there is evidence of determination to go forward fearlessly, and it is for tiie Ministers to be up and going with work to maintain the country’s credit.'