ARE MINISTERS OVERWORKED?

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 216, 5 September 1908, Page 2

ARE MINISTERS OVERWORKED?

AN INTERESTING DISCUSSION'. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. During the discussion on the tn/rd reading of thu Town Boards Amendment Bill in the House this evening, Mr. Ell suggested that if one Minister was in charge of all local government matters he would then be an expert. -Sir Joseph Ward said if one Minister had to deal with all local government questions it would involve his going into other Ministers' departments for information. Really the whole question involved the creation of another Ministerial department and the appointment of an extra Minister, and he did not know if the country was disposed to have that. Mr. Massey: There are too many now. .Sir Joseph Ward: Well, the lion, member may say so, but I don't think others will agree with him. Sir Joseph added that he was sure the country did not want Ministers to work themselves to death, and when the country realised wdiat was on the shouwVrs of Ministers it would understand what was necessary. Mr. Massey did not agree that an increase of Ministers was necessary. Mr. Hornsby: They want under-sec-retaries.

Mr. Mosscy: They don't. If Ministers devoted themselves to work instead of gadding about the country attending race meetings and opening every '•tuppenny-halfpenny" school they would not be overworked. If anyone had a right to complain it was the Leader of the Opposition who had more work on his shoulders than anyone Sir Joseph Ward: You give me your correspondence for one day, and I'll give you mine. Mr. Massey: You give me your secretaries. Mr. T. McKenzie held that mor<-, Ministers were necessary to cope with' the work. After further discussion of a general character the third reading was carried and the Bill was passed.