WELLINGTON TOPICS.

Taihape Daily Times, 28 June 1918, Page 6

WELLINGTON TOPICS.

IN WAR TIME.

MINISTERS' POINT OF VIEW*

(Special Correspondent.)

WELLINGTON, June 26.

During the last week three Minis. ters, whose departments concern the public interests quite as closely as do those administered by the absent party leaders, have been expressing their views on public expenditure in in war time with a candour which does not suggest they are altogether agreed as to the ( propriety of postponing every etfort towards the improvement of domestic conditions till the world is absolutely freed from the German menace. The Minister of Public Works has re-asserted hisT ciP termination to do nothing with the Mangahao hydro-electric scheme till the war is over, the Minister of Education has been deploring" the aplication of war economies to the education system, and the Minister'of Internal Affairs has been boldly declaring that the war instead of being made an excuse for inefficiency in local government ought to be more and more a stimulus towards the utmost efficiency. THE HYDRO-ELECTRIC SCHEME. Sir William Eraser's attitude is the more difficult to understand. He has not the slightest doubt, he told the Vigilance Committee of the Associat- i ed Chambers of Commerce, of the great need for the speedy completion of the hydro-electric scheme that would give a tremendous impetus to the productive industries of Wellington, Wanganui, Manawatu, Hawke's Bay and Taranaki, and with the results of the Lake Coleridge scheme in view he was entirely satisfied with Its economic possibilities. Nor did he anticipate any great difficulty in obtaining the money required for the undertaking. It was the scarcity of labour that prevented him making a" beginning with even the preparatory work till the war was over and normal conditions restored. Needless to say the X.eague' that was established at the great meeting in Palmrslon North the other day is not going to accept this decision without making a very vigorous effort, EDUCATION. The Hon. J. A. Hanan has done much very excellent work at the head of the Education Department and is not allowing the "taiho" policy of some of his colleagues to damp hip enthusiasm nor to lessen his activities. But the lack of money and, perhaps more effectively, the absence of any sustained public agitation for. a more thorough and comprehensive system of education, is very gravely hampering his efforts. The Minister's programme is an admirable one, in most respects, aiming at making fUe people of New Zealand in the next generation the most soundly educateo community within the Empire. Nor is the money he requires for this piUT"pose beyond the means of the Dominion. It would be, indeed, a most excellent investment even when gauged on the less exalted basis of pounds, shillings and pence. But so far the economists have had their way.

HOSPITAL? 'AND CHARITABLE AID.

No other Minister that has had control of hospitals and charitable aid institutions has displayed a better understanding of their requirements on the business side" than has the Hon G. W. Russell. He has effected many reforms that have made for both efficiency and economy and his work is "by no means yet completed. Yesterday, while the Hon. J. A. Hanan was addressing the Council of Education, the Minister of Internal Affairs was having a heart to heart talk with the members of the Wellington Hospital Board and the vepresentatives of the contributing bodies. What they wanted, he told them, was businesslike management, welUer&ered, vigorous and effective. A conscientious, capable medical officer was not necessarily an efficient director of the details of hospital management and a chanpe. would have to be made in this respect, The two progressive Mtafo ters are fortunate in having the Hon. A. M. Myers, thp 'Acting-Minister of Finance, a colleague Who is In full sympathy with their aspirations, restrained only by the need of counting the cost.