BACK INTO HARNESS

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 2, Issue 375, 9 November 1932, Page 4

BACK INTO HARNESS

THe interesting informatiori i that when the first train bearing | its freight of Cablnet Miriisters, ! ordinary parliamentarians and •residents of the district, was I ready to proceed over the new ' Stratford line, "Mr. Coates mounted the cabin of the engine and took over control" raises speculations as to the exact measure of control which the leader of the Ref orm party is at present ! exercising over the progress of ! his colleagues and the country in 1 general. During his absence in Ottawa and even more so since his return, the limelight of political prominence has been focussed upon Mr. Coates, largely obscuring the less spectacular activities of his colleagues. But despite the prominent place which he has been filling in the public eye, he'has disjilayed a decided reluctance to get back, into harness. He is to ah increasing extent being described as "the leader of the New Zealand delegation to Ottawa," although Ottawa is past and gone and there jare other matters of'urgent dojmestic importance which his j position calls upon him to lead. I Mr. Macmillan is still adminis[tering the portfolio of Public iWorks and that shrinking maritle does not sit too easily upon his broad shoulders; Mr. Hamilton too has not yet been relieved of the perplexing and arduous bur- | dens of unemployment which have been added to his other responsibilities. Both of these important portfolios were in the hands of the leader of the Reform party but despite the f act that he has now been back from j Ottawa over two months, he has ; shown no inclination to take up Lthe reins again. Mr. Hamilton | particularly appears to be over- | burdened, with portfolios as a rei sult of his leader's reluctance to get back into harnea(s. He is Postmaster-General, Minister of Labour, Internal Affairs, Tourist and Health Resorts, Publicity, Statistician's Department, Audit, Museum and Advertising, with the additional heavy burden of unemployment thrust upon him. In the meantime, Mr. Coates appears to be enjoying a roving commission, expounding and reexpounding the doctrines of Ottawa. But these doctrines have al ready been sufficiently expounded and there appears to be no reason why the Reform leader should not put his shoulder to the wheei and resume the portfolios which he put off before ' his departure to the conference. If any one member of Cabinet is over-burdened with portfolios, the general efficiency must inevitably suffer. Mr. Coates occupies a position in which he practically shares responsibility with the Prime Minister, but since his return from Ottawa he has contributed siirprisingly little to the work of Cabinet. In addition it is understood, that the Hon. E. A. Ransom, who holds the portfolios of Lands, State Forests, Lands for Settlement, Vaiuation, Discharged Soldiers' Settlement and Scenery Preservation, is not in good health and has not been able to give his full vigour to his various departments during the past few weeks. This will further intensify the work falling on the re~ mainder of the Cabinet and makes it all the more imperative that all members should pull their weight. The recent intimution that a further cut is tb be made in the existing scale of relief wages is Highly disturbing and once again emphasises the necessity for the most vigorous measures to meet the position. It is impossible for Mr. Hamilton with the other duties de~ volving upon him, to give the time and attention which shouid be given the Employment portfolio. Mr. Coates took this responsibility upon his shoulders when the Coalition came into office and somewhat optimistically changed its title from Unemploy-

ment to Employment. He then ehunciated liis 10-acre scheme with a fanfare of trumpets but failed to check the disturbing upward trend of unemployed registrations. In fairness, Mr. Coates cannot be held entirely responsible for this, but the country would be more convinced of his zeal in the cause of employment if he displayed some inclination to prosecute a definite policy and accepted the responsibilities which he has taken taken upon himself. Matters at home are too urgent and pressing for any member of Cabinet to rest upon his past laurels.