WELLINGTON TOPICS

Taihape Daily Times, Volume XI, Issue 3489, 18 May 1920, Page 5

WELLINGTON TOPICS

THE RECONSTRUCTED CABINET.

NEWSPAPER CRITICISM.

(Special Correspondent.)

VVELLINGTON, May 17.

The “Evening Post,” which sees as much of the political game as do the rest of the lockers-on, frankly confesses itself disappointed with the reconstructed Cabinet and hopeless of finding an fbetter one in the present Parliament. It thinks Mr Massey, with the Prime Ivlinistership, Railways and Finance loaded “beyond his personal capacity”; Sir Wiliam Herries out of touch with the public; Mr Guthrie and Mr Nosworthy “well knowm’, perhaps, as it is expressed, the unkindest out of all,’ Dr Pomare, a member that “may be taken as read”; Mr Lee, -Mr Coates, Mr Parr and Mr Anderson untried, and Sir Francis Bell the only member of the team in whoifi the public may put full confidence. It is a discouraging outlook indeed, and the “Post? offers no suggestion for its improvement. Mr Massey’s Cabinet is merely “a poor sample of the men ’s calibre and public spirit of the countryf’ and till the electors reform themselves and insist upon‘ some equitable system of representation they will have no right to expect anything better . ‘ GET TO WORK_

The ‘Dominion” does not take the gloomy view of the situation expressed. by its evening contemporary, but it does not wax enthusiastic over the Cabinet Ur Massey has got gtogether. It thinks Mr Anderson has earned his promotion, and accepts him as a man of progressive ideas who should make a .sound and careful administrator. It also welcomesthe promotion of the Member for Mataura as “giving additional representation in the South Island in the Ministry.” Its chief desire, however, is that the Government should get to work and deal effectively with the various prdblems that are calling out for its attention. But Mr Massezvfs trouble is to find in the ranks of his own supporters men of proved administrative ability, and probably it will be some time yet before he can unload on to one of his colleagues part of the gl’-‘eat burden he has taken upon himself and so be free to concentrate on a constructive policy.

RAILWAY TROUBLES. It is said that the tribunal appoint_ed to deal with the dispute between the Government and the A.S.R.S. is making good progress fowards what promises to be a. settlement satisfactory to" both parties. If this means anything at all, it means the Government is not proving obdurate towards the demands of the men and is approaching the Whole matter in a conciliatory spirit. The consideration of the case of the E.F_C.A., which cannot be commenced till the negotiations with the other branch of the service are concluded, may present greater difficulties. The men‘ still are showing a very determined spirit and unless the Government is prepared to concede the major part of their demands further trouble may ensue, They made this quite clear at the time the “strike” was suspended and, as far as can be judged they have not modified their attitude since. RISING PRICES.

Mr Massey has met (the stories in regard to impending increases in the ‘prices of butter and sugar with a statement to the effect that the Government has in hand arrangements for ensuring supplies of butter for some months at only a slight advance upon the present price, and that sugar will be supplied at a figure which, considering all the circumstances, should be considered very reasonable. This should allay some of the anxiety that has been felt by housewives concerning these commodities, and there is a feeling throughout the community that the prices of some of the other “necessaries” are more likely to decline tlfan to advance. Meat certainly ought to be cheaper and even some linescf plain clothing can He bought for less today than they could be two or three months agd.