WANDERLUST

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 2, Issue 301, 15 August 1932, Page 4

WANDERLUST

The wanderlust appears to have gripped some of New Zealand's Cabinet Ministers, and the latest of these gentlemen to seek more balmy climes, is the Minister for Native Affairs, Sir Apirana Ngata. Apparently, as it is phrased at the country socials, "New Zealand's loss is to be the Cook Islands' gain," and taking with him various members of his family and his private secretary, the Honourable Minister has departed to more salubrious climes for an indefinite period. Sir Apirana has undoubtedly made a happier choice than his colleagues, Messrs Coates and Stewart, who are braving the rigorous climatic conditions of Canada, but as some compensation, he will not have the alluring delights of the luxurious Chateau Laurier which has aroused the eloquence of the conference correspondents to such transcendent heights. Sir Apirana and his entourage, however, have departed without any of that triumphant flourish of trumpets which usually accompanies the departure of a Minister on a Government mission. We have heard nothing of any crisis threatening in this isolated section of New Zealand's Dominions, and so far as.we are aware, the unfortunate activities of the Samoan Mau have not yet extended -to these Islands of the Blest. However, Sir Apirana in all his movements is one of the most retiring of the members of Cabinet and this very modest departure for parts more or less unknown, is in keeping with his reputation in that respect. Some time ago, before the amalgamation of the Reform forces with United, public attention was drawn to the expenditure of Cabinet Ministers upon travelling during the recess period, and as a result of questions asked in the House and the disclosure of the expenditure in this connection, the over-generous allowance of two guineas per aay allocated to Ministers while on their travels, was reduced to 30/-* With this gesture toward its god of economy, however, the Government has contepted itsself, and the matter of Ministers'

travelling expenses has been allowed to lapse gently and discreetly into the background. It would be well, however, if this wanderlust spirit is to persist, that some attention should again be directed to the expenditure which the goings and comings of the Ministry places upon the tax-payer. As an instance, over and above the annual appropriation of £25,000 set aside to cover free rail and boat passes for members of the legislature and their families, the United Cabinet in three years, increased its travelling expenditure from £9000 approximately, to nearly £17,000. One of the most substantial contributors to this

sum, was the Honourable Sir Apirana Ngata, and apparently the spirit of the wanderer is still in his blood. During the recess period, a Cabinet Minister is entitled to an allowance of 30/for each day that he is absent from his office in Wellington on official business. This of course, is exclusive of the free rail and boat transport which is provided, and car and hotel allowance. It is interestmg to speculate, in yiew of the circumstances of Sir Apirana's departure, whether he will draw this allowance during his absence in the Cook Islands. Although he departed unheralded and unsung, it may be assumed that Sir Apirana is engaged on official business in the islands (which come within the scope of his department). Otherwise it would hardly. be necessary to remove

the Minister's private secretary from his cjnties in order that he might accompany the party. It is, of course, usual for a Minister to indicate the purpose of his visit when he leaves the country, but Sir Apirana, since his elevation to Gabinet rank has rather shunned the spotlight of publicity. In this, admittedly, he has set a commendable example to some of his political confreres, but he has at times left some of his actions open to misconstruetion. Sir Apirana's aversion to the press and its enquiries is well-known, but in spite of that aversion, the country is entitled to know whether the holder of one of the most important of the Cabinet portfolios is absent from its shores on official business or has merely sought a more equable climate during the remainder of the winter months. And in either case, it would be interesting to know who is pqying for the trip.