WHO GOVERNS?

Waikato Times, Volume 107, Issue 17976, 22 March 1930, Page 6

WHO GOVERNS?

The protest entered by the Sawmillers’ Timber Trading Company against the failure of the departmental heads to carry out Ministerial instructions was warranted. The conviction is growing that we are being governed, not by Parliament or even the Cabinet, but by those whom we pay as servants, but who too frequently arrogate to themselves the role of masters. It is recognised that our limber industry is in a parlous stale, and as a means to effecting some improvement Ministers, upon the representation of the sawmillers, issued instructions that wherever possible, and all things being equal, native timber should be used in Government work. This was a perfectly reasonable attitude. New Zealand produces some of the finest timber in the world, and for nearly all purposes it is as good as any that can be imported. These instructions, however, are being ignored and civil servants are flouting Cabinet Ministers. A very flagrant case was cited to the Minister of Public Works, it being shown that in the erection of the dais for the reception of the new Governor-General foreign timber was used. No one would surely attempt to argue that native timber was not suitable for such a purpose. There may, of course, be some reasonable explanation for the use of the foreign article; if so, it should be published. At present the popular slogan is “Trade within the Empire.” The natural course in carrying out such a policy is to commence with home products and support local industry. To import what we can economically produce ourselves is extravagance, and calculated to add to our troubles. Now that the, matter has been so prominently brought before Ministers it is to be hoped it will be thoroughly investigated and those responsible pointedly informed that when Ministers issue orders they are to be faithfully carried out.