The Daily News. SATURDAY, MAY 15, 1920. CABINET RECONSTRUCTION.

Taranaki Daily News, 15 May 1920, Page 4

The Daily News. SATURDAY, MAY 15, 1920. CABINET RECONSTRUCTION.

Although Mr. Massey has appointed Mr. G. J. Anderson (Mataura) as a Minister and has made certain re-arrangements of portfolios, lie has intimated that other adjustments will follow. For the present, however, the Ministry as it now stands is considerably strengthened by the latest appointment. It was praetieally a foregone conclusion that Mr. Anderson would be selected for Cabinet rank, not only on the ground of his being the most suitable member of the Reform Party, but also because he represents a southern constituency He is certainly one of the most progressive men of the Party, and his Parliamentary record is one of well proved loyalty, while he possesses much ability and common sense. The Premier appears to be quite satisfied with his choice of colleagues and there is little doubt that he has obtained by his more recent appointments Messrs. Coates, Lee, Parr and Anderson—the best men available in the party fold. Of the members of Mr. Massey's first Cabinet, formed in July 1912, there How remain Mr. Berries, Sir Francis Bell and Dr. Pomare, while Messrs. Guthrie, Nosworthy, Coates, Lee, Parr and Anderson have replaced retiring Ministers. The only serious loss has been that of Sir Jas. Allen, and the executive is decidedly the weaker by his transference to London. At the same time it must be acknowledged that Mr. Massey has endeavored successfully to make as good a Cabinet as was possible with the material at his commnad, and he may certainly be congratulated on his latest choice. It is evident that he intends to overload himself with departmental work, for he has taken the portfolios of railways and finance, each of which should be ample for any one Minister to administer by itself, yet the Premier still holds both, besides the presidency of the Board of Trade. Mr. Massey appears to have a predeliction for holding the reins of several depart ments, for when he first assumed office, besides being Premier, he undertook to administer the following departments: Lands, Agriculture, Labor, Industries and Commerce, State Forests, Land for Settlement, Valuation and Scenery Preservation. Manifestly, however great a mental and physical capacity a Minister may possess, it would be impossible for any one man to control so many departments except nominally, the evil being that the departments con-1 trol the Minister and bureaucracy has full sway. The head of the Government occupies a similar position to that of the head of a large public school, whose time is mainly devoted to close supervision and the study of how to obtain the best results, together with a ceaseless striving for fresh ideas and methods that tend to promotcsuccess. • This concentration on supervision is more than ever necessary 011 the Dart of the Pre-

mier in these crucial limes, and it is 3iot in the best interests of the country that he should, even nominally, attempt to control any department but that of Finance. Certainly no other member of the Cabinet is qualified to handle the finnaces of the country. The appointment of another Minister, which Mr. Massey lias hinted at, may take some of the weight off the Premier's shoulders if he can find a colleague capable of undertaking the Railways and Public Works, but. it is noticeable that the Defence portfolio is still unallotted, so it must be presumed there will have to be a further shuffling of portfolios before Parliament .meets. Neither Mr. Herries nor Mr. Guthrie can be regarded as shining lights, though they probably do their best, so it is all the more gratifying that the appointment of Mr. Anderson as Minister of Internal Affairs lias been made. Mr. Parr appears to be taking a keen interest in educational matters, and, though feeling his way cautiously among the many problems requiring solution, may be expected to make a success of his administration if the necessary financial aid is secured. Mr. Coates is also shaping well, aiid, according to the Premier, every member of the Administration is keen to make his department a success. Keenness goes a good way towards the end in view, but other qualir ties are also necessary, the chief being initiative. Departmental control creates a groove, and a Minister who is bent on success must have will power, determination, and a keen business method, so that economy can be carried out without sacrificing efficiency, and 'all expenditure made to show good value. The Reform Government has now a particularly fitting opportunity of justifying its name—if it can—and it is to he hoped it may do so. There is ample scope for the exercise of the highest class of statesmanship, for the problems that are awaiting solution have drifted into tangles, with the result that unrest is far too prevalent. The country can only judge the Ministry by results, and it is results which have been anxiously awaited for some time past. The new Ministers are lacking in experience, but that is of little consequence provided their administrative talents are of the right order and their outlook is not restricted.