THE NEW MINISTERS.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1488, 10 July 1912, Page 6

THE NEW MINISTERS.

BRIEF SKETCHES. A TRIBUTE TO MB. MASSEY. The Christchurch "Press" says: There is , no doubt that the victory of the! Reform party has been practically, the work of one man, namely, its leader. He has able lieutenants, and perhaps the most loyal and united party that has ever been seen in the New Zealand Parliament, but it is the sterling, straightforward character of Mr. Massey, his unbending sense of duty, his consistent adherence to principles, and his dogged determination to reach the ideals he had set before him which have creatod that party and'gathered those lieutenants around him. It ft about 18 years since Mr. Massey first entered Parliament. No one can ever say of him that he has over shown himself an opportunist, least of all that ho has either betrayed a principle or a friend. No one but those intimately associated with him will ever know the full extent of the dis-. couragoment and difficulties against which ho has had to contend. \Ve are ashamed to say that oftentimes he must have had reason to complain of apathy and indifference on the part of those who professed to be alarmed at the manner in which the country -was being misgoverned, but did not conceive it to be their. duty to stretch out a hand to help the man who was fighting with all his might and main to bring' about a change, and wo cannot doubt that the 6ame qualities of probity, endurance, and inflexible attention to duty which have stood him in such good stead in attaining his present position will enable him to do good and lasting service to the country now that at last ho is to bo permitted an opportunity- of showing what lie can do in the work of administration. Mr. Jas. Allen. Mr. Jas. Allen, M.P. for Bruce, was born in South Australia, and eamo to this country some 51 years ago. His father prospered as one of tlio early Otago settlers, and young Allen was sent to school in England. Ho attended Clifton College arid St. John's College, Cambridge, where he succeeded in winning a scholarship.' He specialised in mineralogy, and won the Bessemer and De La Beche medals. He represented his 'Varsity in Rugby, football. Mr. AUeu entered politics in 18S7, when h« defeated the then Prime Minister'. Sir Eobert Stout.

Sinc«'then ho has held an unbeaten record in Parliament. Mr. Allen is vicechancellor of the New Zealand Univer- 1 sity. His work in 'connection with the advancement of the Otago Medical School and the Otago School of Mines will not soon bo forgotten. Mr. W. H. Herries. Mr. William Herbert Herries is the same age as Mr. Massey, being born in London in 185 G. Mr.: Herries has made a special' study of Native affairs, and of railway finance. He is an excellent debater in tho House, has a keen faculty for analysis, a succinct and logical way of -putting facts and arguments, and a keen sense of humour. Mr. Herries is the son of a barrister-af-law,- and was educated at Eton <md Trinity College, Cambridge, where he tok his B.A. degree in 1880. He has been for 32 years a settler in Sw Zealand, and has been in Parliament for '16 years. He has not once been defeated at tho polls. He is a Fellow of the Geological Society of London, and takes an interest in New Zealand mining. " , Mr. A. L. Herdman. Mr. A. L. Herdman was born at Dunedin on July/17, 1869, and was educated at the Otago Boys' High School, and at Oajnaru. Serving for a time in the National Bank, he studied law, and was admitted to tho Bar in 1894. Mr. Herdman practised his profession at Palmerston South and at Naseby. In 1898 he hecnmc Mayor of the latter borough, having previously served as a member of the council. Ho was returned to the House of ■' Representatives as member for Mouiit Ida in 1902, and at the next election, having meantime shifted his residence to Wellington, was defeated. In 1908 ho was returned as member for Wellington North, which seat lie again carried by an overwhelming majority, at, tho last general election. In tho House Mr. Herdman is recognised as an able debater and an effective critic. . , Mr. W. Fraser; Mr. W. Fraser is an able debater and a wise counsellor. Ho is an experienced politician, with a remarkable knowledge of tho country's wants, and is particularly sound on matters 'of finance. Mr. Fraser is the son of a captain of tho Madras Light Cavalry, and was born in India. He came to New 'Zealand in 1858, and engaged in pastoral pursuits in Central Otago. Ho has been a member of tho House for many years. Mr. R. H. Rhodes. Mr. R. H. Rhodes, the member for Ellesmere, was born at Purau, Lyttelton, on February 27, 1861. _ He was educated, in New Zealand and in England, and is a graduate of Brasenose College, Oxford. Mr. Rhodes unsuccessfully contested tie Hoathcotc seat against Mr. W. W. Tanner in 1890. Ho married in 1891, and eight years later successfully contested the Ellesmere seat, which lie has since held. The member for Ellesmero has done splendid service in the past as Whip to the party. He has devoted a groat deal of time to the defence movement. For some years he was captain of, that crack corps, tho Canterbury Yeomanry Cavalry. He served with the New Zealand troops in the South African war, and 'received the. Queen's . Medal and four clasps.

Mr. F. M. B. Fisher. Mr. F. M. B. Fisher is only thirty-five years old. Ho is tho son of the late Mr. George Fisher, who represented Wellington City for'many years, and on his death was succeeded by tlio present member for Wellington Central. Mr. Fisher was educated at various schools in Wellington and at Victoria College. Ho took an active part in the volunteer forces, and was appointed captain in 1000. In 1901 he accompanied tho New Zealand continent, in the rank of cajjtain. at the cele-f bration in connection -with tho federation of the Australian States. Holding the rank of second in command of tho second battalion, Mr. Fisher wont to. South Africa with the Tenth Contingent. Ho first entored Parliament in 1005. He has nW been a member of the Wellington City Counr.il, having been elected to that body in 1007. Mr. Fislier is one of tho best platform speakers in' Now Zealand. Mr. H. D, Bell, Mr. H. I). Bell is the son of a' man whose nams is well and honourably knoivn in connection with New Zealand history—Sir Francis Dillon Bell, wlio was a figure in New Zealand politics, and was for several years Agent-General for New Zealand in London. Mr. H. D. Bsll is a New Zealander, having, been born in Nelson in 1851. He has had a distinguished career from the time when (in 1864-68) he was dux of the Dunedin Boys' High School. Subsequently, he studied at Cambridge, where he took his B.A. degree in 1872. Be is a barrister of tho Middle Temple and a K.C. He sat in the Hou.ce of Representatives n.s member for Wellington City for three years, and the old Parliamentary hands _still talk of tho celerity • and lucidity with which ■lie was wont to draft nil amendment of a.n involved clause in Bills flint we.ro being put through their committee ntage. His influence upon the A els of those years must have been considerable, and his valuable services were recognised and bv friend nmV foe Milr." Ar, \ Bell is a leading authority on Native land legislation, and his knowledge in this resneet will elso be a valuable asset to the Cabinet and to tho country. Dr. Maui Pomaro. Dr. Pomare is tho only Native representative on the side of the .Reform party, but. even if there were others he would no doubt be selected for the position. Dr. Pomaro'has a etrikiae personality, end is

a'fine speaker. Having been Nativo medical officer intho Health Department, ho has an intimate knowledge of the Maori bettlemcnts and their inhabitants throughout New Zealand. _ Dr. Pomaro was born at Pahou, Taranaki, on January 13, 187G, and was educated'at the Boys' High School, Christclmrch, and at To Auto College, Ilawke's Bay. Ho is an M.D. of Chicago, U.S.A., and was appointed Government Health Officer to tho Maoris in 1901. Ho continued to hold that office until it was retrenched out of existence eight years later. Dr. Pomaro resides at Lower Hutt. 1