MINISTERS TO LONDON

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 2, Issue 528, 11 May 1933, Page 4

MINISTERS TO LONDON

An interesting contrast is presented by the two presentments of the London Conference personnel given in onr news columns yesterday. On the one hand, the Prime Minister, in the course of a long preamble and a considerable amonn.t of generalisation in regard to the objects of the conference, suggested that the call of dnty at home had been too strong for his colleague, Mr. Coates, who would conseqnently remain hehind, while on the other hand, onr Wellington representative reports in an independent message that lobby opinion is speculating in regard to Mr. Coates' oniission from the delegation with indications of a rift in the perfect harmony of the Cabinet lute. It is hardly to be expected that Mr. Forbes would allow any jarring note of discord to ereep into the sonorous periods of his official announeement and Cabinet's decision is euphemistically phrased thus: Having regard to the importance of the World Conference and the serious problems to be considered, Cabinet felt that it warranted the attendance of hoth myself and the Minister of Finance, but having regard to the diffieult position in the Dominion, Mr. Coates felt that he should remain hehind. On the other hand, our Wellington message presents the position in a rather different guise. Mr. Coates was said to he determined that one of the principal representatives of the Dominion should be himself (he says), particularly as he had heen in close touch with various problems which will face the- conference. He was strongly of the opinj ion that hoth he and Mr. Forbes I should go, but suiggested that the | Hon. R. Masters might he the sec- ! ond man. It is apparent th'at Mr. i Forbes has -asserted himself and it is no exaggeration to say that Cabinet is not the happy family it was alleged to he & few months ago. Without doing either Mr. Forbes or Mr. Coates any injustice, it may safely be predicted that the final decision was not made without some heartburning on the one side or the other. As Minister of Finance and leader of the New Zealand delegation to Ottawa, Mr. Coates should be au fait with the wider aspects of the economic situation abroad and it is quite possible that he considered this the deciding qualification to lead this latest expedition overseas. At the same time, it may justly be contended that these broa'der national problems are, in the final essence, the responsibility of the Prime Minister as leader of the Government. There is no donht that the conference itself

is the most momentous and important gathering that has been held in post war years, and there is no doubt also that the future recovery of this Dominion depends very largely npon the effect of its deliberations. Whether New Zealand's representation at the conference can do a great deal to influence these deliberations one way or the other is a different matter. The chief value of representation appears to be in the contacts which a conference of this nature will afford to the assembled delegates. Mr. Forbes makes a useful point in regard to the necessity for personal representation,? in regard to overseas loan indebtness. This is one of the most vital matters confronting the Government and if an endeavour is to be made to relieve the burden, it can only be done by proper representations in interested quarters. It is probable, however, that as Minister of Finance, Mr. Coates considers himself the best qualified emissary and it is in this, possibly, that the leader of the Reform party and his colleagues have not seen eye to eye. The necessity for sending two Ministers to the conference is not immediately apparent and while the business experience of the Minister of Industries and Commerce should prove usefnl, it is perhaps a redection upon the other Minister-

ial delegate that it is necessary. In view of the magnitude of the issues involved it is essential that New Zealand should be represented at the conference but having regard to the very minor position which her representatives will oceupy, jit should be sufficient to send one representative Minister adequately supported by expert advisers. The domestic problems which will occnpy the country at home during the winter are also of considerable magnitude in our small sphere and the task of those who will remain hehind to keep the home fires burning will be no light one. The rank and file of Cabinet at present, is by no means strong and weakened by the absence of two of its Ministers, the load will be correspondingly more heavy upon the leader pro. tem. In fairness, however, Mr. Coates should remember that his ministerial colleagues have not, since the tenure of the Coalition Government had the same opportunities for overseas travel that he has been afforded. It has been said that travel broadens the mind and now that Mr. Forbes* has definitely asserted his position as leader in the team, he should go from one snccess to another. Of the three, Mr. Masters should derive most enjoyment from the situation and the prospects of the trip ahead.