The Sun 42 WYNDHAM STREET AUCKLAND THURSDAY, MAY 29, 1930 A RESHUFFLE OF PORTFOLIOS

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 984, 29 May 1930, Page 10

The Sun 42 WYNDHAM STREET AUCKLAND THURSDAY, MAY 29, 1930 A RESHUFFLE OF PORTFOLIOS

NOTHING of exceptional merit may be expected from the reconstructed United Government. This (be it noted by those who cannot take their porridge without sugar and cream) is not unkind comment. The Hon. G. W. Forbes, as the new Prime Minister confronted with extraordinary difficulties, virtually says so himself in explaining frankly that he has undertaken a high duty with a due sense of humility and a recognition of the necessity for depending on the goodwill of political opponents and for seeking the indulgence of the House to enable him to attend the forthcoming Imperial Conference in London. May it he hoped, however, that the work of the humble Ministry will not altogether become a case of humble is as humbly does ? Mr. Forbes and his colleagues can feel assured of friendly help and generous wishes from everybody, hut, at the same time, they had better remember that there is a limit to forbearance. There are interesting as well as some queer features in the composition of the Cabinet and the reshuffling of portfolios. First of these is the unique distinction that more than half of the United Party’s full Parliamentary strength is now in the Ministry. The party musters only twenty-five members in the House of Representatives. Of these, thirteen are Ministers; of the remainder one must he chosen to serve as Chairman of Committees, and two others will be appointed Government Whips. If there should he any jealousy and frustrated ambition left, these potential causes of dissension and further defection are compressed into a small group. A few more by-eleetions and the Government alone would represent the United Party. Clearly, there is need of humility, indulgence and sympathetic forbearance. It may be said without hesitation, hut also without enthusiasm, that the Prime Minister, in forming his first Cabinet, made the best possible use of the raw material at his service. Perhaps he has tried to tit square pegs into round holes, but that effort need not be challenged too severely at the moment. The pegs have been driven in, so we all must hope for the best, overlooking the odd fitting here and there. ’Hie two new Ministers, the Hon. A. J. Murdoch, of Marsden, and the Hon. S. G. Smith, of New Plymouth, were as good as any others upon whom the choice might have fallen, and probably are a great deal better. As regards the queer features of the Cabinet reconstruction several singularities of reshuffling leap to the eye. A farmer has become Minister of Finance, an accountant Minister of Public Works, a merchant Minister of Defence and Justice, a journalist Minister of Industries, and an engine-driver Minister of Railways (which, after all, is perhaps not so peculiar). Of course, there is no reason in the political world why any one or all of these other apparent incongruities should not succeed as well as Ministers with more appropriate professional or occupational training for work in State administration. The reshuffle of portfolios looks like another bold experiment. Then, is it not odd, to say the least, that after the Hon. J. G. Cohbe had devoted alert energy and intelligence to the needs of industry, promising to become an effective administrator in that important study, he should take over the portfolios of Defence, Justice, Pensions and Prisons? Has the Government any policy in respect of manufacturing industrial development, and does it expect the Hon. P. A. de la Perrelle to provide the master mind? More or less similar comment might be made fairly on the allocation of the Customs portfolio to the Prime Minister, who has never pretended to possess any technical knowledge of tariff intricacies, and also the appointment of the Hon. W. B. Taverner as Minister of Public Works. And why should Mr. Yeiteh, after making an exhaustive study of transport, relinquish that portfolio and, because of his ability as an engine-driver, take over tbecontrol of the railways service, which is not only the main transport system, but is staggering under competition from road transport? These questions may be left to provide adequate answers or the opposite in good time. It is right that the Prime Minister should seek the indulgence of the Opposition to permit him to meet the other Prime Ministers of the Empire at London early in October. He need not be perturbed over lack of experience in Empire affairs. His company then and there largely will be in similar position. Moreover, nobody outside the conference ever expects it “to move the stars along.” It is an essential council of the Empire, but, in practice,, is rather a glorious pretence. And that, these days, is the way of politics all over the world.

THE HALL OF INDUSTRIES

AFTER a keen and determined conflict with prejudice and apathy, the manufacturers of New Zealand are securing the community interest and support they have so thoroughly earned. Auckland’s Hall of Industries, the official opening of which was held yesterday, is definitely the outcome of a healthy and insistent public demand for a comprehensive index to goods marked “New Zealand-Made. ’ Further, it is the logical result of a campaign that has imbued the public with a determination to see and examine for itself the concrete evidence with which New Zealand industrialists and New Zealand workers can support their claims. Manufacturers from end to end of the country have been in need of shop-windows in which their products may receive adequate display. In the past they have received valuable sectional support from retailers, but the inadequacy of this was proved yesterday when, almost Avithout exception, visitors to the Hall of Industries expressed surprise, not unmixed with amazement, at the quality of the goods on show. That there should still exist, in a country with little more than a million and a-quarter of population, a bland ignorance of the high le\ r el of quality to Avhich the products of New Zealand factories have attained, proves beyond doubt the Avisdom of establishing a permanent exhibition. At the Hall of Industries potential buyers may not only inspect goods produced by the felloAV-eitizens, but also receive price quotations and all necessary marketing information. As Mr. G. Finn, president of the Manufacturers’ Association, stressed at yesterday’s function, producer, distributor and consumer haA’e iioav the means by AA'hieh they may keep in close touch, and concerted effort can yield results Avhich Avill be reflected in increased production and employment throughout the province. As is natural Ave find cause for satisfaction in the knowledge that The Sun’s pioneer support and encouragement of NeAV Zealand-made goods, and its present co-operation A% 7 ith the manufacturers, is yielding highly satisfactory results. A conspicuous and consistent advocacy of the merits of this country’s manufacturing products has had its inevitable result—the tide of public opinion, influenced by plain and incontrovertible economic facts, has turned. . Schools of thought, hitherto oblivious to Avhat Avas reckoned a struggling and unprofitable cause, have found it prudent to SAvim Avith the current. Noav that the Hall of Industries is in substantial being- it remains for purchasers in every section of the community to study the practical lesson it conveys—that homes may be stocked adequately and cheaply in this country Avithout pitch-forking money to mass producers o\ r erseas.