WELLINGTON TOPICS

Taihape Daily Times, 12 September 1919, Page 5

WELLINGTON TOPICS

A FARMERS ’ MINISTRY. f

agriculture supreme.

(Special Correspondent.)

WELLINGTON, Sept. 10,

Never before haye the rural industries been so fully represented in a j Cabinet in this country ag they are in [ the one Mr Massey has constructed en the ashes of the National Government. Every one of the Ministers is more or less closely connected with agriculture. The Prime Minister, Mr Guthrie, Mr Hine, Mr Coates, and Mr Nosworthy are practical farmers, harvesting their crops and tending their flock 3 and herds; Sir Francis Bell and Mr ! Herries are large land-owners, and Sir James Allen and Sir William Fraser are intimately associated in one way or another with agricultural and pastoral pursuits. Though Mr Massey naturally would lean towards a generous representation of the rural industries in the Cabinet, he probably was a little more surprised himself when he found three-fourths of his colleagues to be followers of his own occupation and the other fourth personally concerned for the welfare of the man on the land. PEOMOTION DECLINED.

That the Prime Minister had no idea of “cornering” the portfolios in the interests of the farmers may be judged from the fact that bis first inclination was to take Mr Downie Stewart, Mr Statham, land Mr G. J. Anderson into the Cabinet. If these gentlemen had been willing to accept f the distinction they would almost certainly have had it, and, of course, they would have added very considerable strength to the Ministry. Mr Downie Stewart and Mr Statham are .among the most capable and popular of the young men in the House, and Mr Anderson’s experience would b© invaluable to any Government, of which he might be a member. But Mr Downie Stewart' declined promotion partly on account of ill-health,, and partly,, it may be assumed, on account of the disinclination to accept office thus early in his Parliamentary career. Mr Statham and Mr Anderson doubtless wefeHeterred by a desire to retain the measure of independence they lately have been ingBOARD OF TRADE. A very frank discussion concerning the functions, powers, and constitution of the Board of Trade took place at a meeting of the Central Chamber of Commerce yesterday. It arose out of a motion tabled by Mr A. L. Hunt for the revival of the proposal for the

establishment of a Board cnosen oy ejection to represent the producing, commercial, industrial, and public interests, for tbe purpose of promoting trade and controlling prices. Several of the speakers, including Mr Hunt himself, complimented the Board of Trade upon its good intentions and upon the work it had done, but despaired of its effecting any great change in the existing state of affairs while it remained under political influence. Mr C. J. Ward said it would be difficult to find three harder working men than the members of the Board, but much of their labour was in vain owing to the dominance of the Minister. The chairman declared that nothing else was ever intended. The Board was simply a buffer between the Government and the people. THE OPPOSITION.

Sir Joseph Ward, who has been laid up with a very severe cold, since the end of last week, and who probably will not be able to take his place in the House till to-mo'rrow or the following day, when seen this morning said ho hoped the session -would bo brought to a close early next month. The members of his party were unanimous in their desire to as'sist the Government as far as they could in getting all the necessary business land he could sec no reason why any time should be wasted by party bickering. But, of course, the Opposition would be expected by the Country to exercise its constitutional functions, and it would not hesitate to do so. Ho-wcvcr, he was not expecting any serious controversial matters to arise—anything of that sort -would be opposed to the wishes of sensible people inside and outside of Parliament—and his orvn wish was to get to the constituencies in time to have the elections and their aftermath well over before Christmas.