NEWS AND NOTES.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1489, 11 July 1912, Page 7

NEWS AND NOTES.

THE' NEW MINISTRY,

MEMBERS SWOEN IN YESTERD -IY,

■ The Hon. W. P. Mlissev and the membeira of 1113 Cabinet, with tho exception of the Hon- W. H. Herries, .who is to arrivo by the-lonic from Engliuul to-day, were sivorn in by his Excellonoj- the Governor yesterday. Meotings of tho Cabin9t were held later in the day. Following is the detailed allocation, of portfolios:— . ,

The Hon. W. F. Massey : Prime Minister, Minister for Lands, Minister for Agriculture, Minister for Labour, Commissioner of State Forests, Minister in Chargo of Lands for Settlement, Valuation, and Scenery Preservation Departments.

. The Hon/ J. Allen: Minister for Finance, Minister for Defence, Minister for Education, , Jfinistgr in Chargo of Land and Income Tax Departments and State Guaranteed Advances Office.

The Hon. W. j. Herries: Minister for Railways, Native Minister, and Minister in Charge-of Racing Permits:'" .Tho Hon; W-i*Fraser: Minister for' Public' Works, Koads, and Bridges, Minister for Mines, Minister for Industries and Commerce,- and Minister in. Charge o{ Public Buildings and Domains. The Hon. A. L. Hordman: AttorneyGeneral, Minister for Justice, Minister for Stamp Duties, Minister in Charge oi Police, Prisons, and Crown Law (including Drafting), and Public Trust Departments.

, The Hon. F. M. B. Fisher: Minister for Customs, Minister for Marine, Minister in Charge of Inspection of Machinery, .Advertising, Government Printing and Stationery, Legislative, State Fire Insurance, .Government Life and Accident Insurance, Electoral, National Provident Fund and Old Age Pensions Department. The Hon. H. D. Bell, K.C.: Minister for Internal Affairs, Minister for Immigration, and Minister in Chargo of Audit Office, Registrar-General, High Commissioner, Museum, | Friendly Societies, and •Laboratory Departments. 1 The Hon. E. H. Rhodes: PostmasterGenoral, and Minister for , Telegraiphs, Minister for Public Health, Minister in Chargo of Hospitals and Charitablo Aid, Mental Hospitals Departments. •Tho Hon. Dr. Pomare: Member of'tho Executive Counoil, . representing the Native Race, and in Chargo of Maori Councils, Cook and other Islands Administration, and Tourist and Health Resorts (including Rotorua Sanatorium and Hospital). Tho portfolio- of Industries and Commerce has not yet been permanently allotted. , . ■> "SPLENDID UNSELFISHNESS." A TRIBUTE TO MR, W. C. BUCHANAN; (By Telesr»pU.-Snccia'l Correspondent.! '"Christchurch, July 10. The "Press," commenting this morning on Mr. Massey's task in forming a Cabinet, remarked that his difficulties lay in the large number of able men very nearly equal in point of.merit from whom he has to make a solcction. In this connection it is impossible to speak too highly of tho splendid unselfishness and public spirit of Mr. W. C. Buchanan, who had every right to claim a seat in the Ministry, but wlio has generously stood asido to givo Mr. Massey a free hand and make room for tho infusion of eomo of the new blood. The oldest member of the party in length of sei-vico, ho is, in point .of physical vigour and mental shrewdness and "quickness in tho uptake," as Scottish people say, one of tho youngest members of tho House. No man lias fought .moro vigorously for tho party of Reform, and now, in the hour of its triumph, he has shown a supreme example of selfabnegation, pu.ro patriotism, integrity, and disinterestedness. Tho name of Walter C. Buchanan will long be honourably remembered, not only in the annals of tho Reform party, but in the general political history of Neiy Zealand.

MEETING OF THE GOVERNMENT ' PARTY. , The first meeting'of tho Government party was held .yesterday afternoon immediately after tho House adjourned. Only two members, who had to leavo on §rivato business were absent. Every meiner of tha party present took the opportunity afforded of congratulating '• tho Prime Minister upon the 'honour that had been conferred upon him. Olio and nil also expressed tlveir loyalty to tho leader of. tha party, and to tho Ministers-ho had Eelected. Tho jirocoedings wero enthusiastic. The action of some of tho older members of the party who liad worked hard for quito a number of years, and then came along to llicir leader yesterday monting and expressed their willingness to stand down, sn as to give him a free band, was specially referred to and -greatly appreciated. CAUCUS OF THE OPPOSITION. A meeting of the Opposition was held ■yesterday . afternoon. All tho members who voted with the Hon. T. Mackenzie on Saturday morning were present, except the "our Labour members, Mr. T. IT. Davev (Christchurch Hast), who declined to attend, and Mr. Craigie (Tiinnru), who was accounted for. Tho following resolution was unanimously carried-.—"That the parly gratefully recognises the most valuable services rendered by its leader, the Hon. T. Mackenzie, and also records its appreciation of the ability, zeal, and dignity ho has shown since his ncceptanco -of-tho leadership, and especially during tho recent Bplitical .crisis,''' .$?$??,

of a loader for the party was deferred, and probably will not be decided until tho House resumes. In tlio meantime, it may bo stated that Mr. Mackenzie will decline to act as Leader of tho Opposition. There is every indication that Mr. Russell will bo placed at tho head of tho party.

PRIVATE SECRETARIES. Privato secretaries to the members of tho new Ministry wero appointed yesterday as follow: — ilon. W. 1-'. Massey: Mr. P. T). Thornton, ivlio was formerly privato recrctary to Mr. Seddon, and later to Mr. Millar and Mr. Myers. Mr. F. W. Furby,-who was formerly on Sir Joseph Ward's seclelarial stalf, and later scrred »»:th Mr. Mackenzie, will bo Mr. Massey's assistant secretary. lion. Jas. Allen: Mr. F. G. Matthews, who became chief of Sir Joseph Ward's secretarial stalf, in succession to Mr. J. llislop, and later served with Mr. Macdonald, Hon. W. H. Herries: Mr. L. E. Johnson, formerly secretary to Sir William Hall-Jones, and latterly to Mr. Mackenzie. Mr. Balneavis, formerly sreretary to Mr. Ngata, will be secretary to Mr. ■Herries in tho Nativo Affairs Department. Hon. A. L. Hordman: Mr. E. N. G. Poulton, formerly . secretary to , Colonel Pitt, and later to Sir John Findlay and Mr. Lanrenson. Hon. W. Fraser: Mr. J. H. M'Alister, wlio served successively with Messrs. M'Gou'an, R. M'Kenzie, and Colvin. Hon. P. M. B. Fisher: Mr. A. Hall, who has been serving as assistint secretary in Mr. Honan's office. Ilon. 11. 1). Hell: Mr. J. W. Black, who served as private secretary \>ith Jlr. Buddo and latterly with Mr. Russell. Hon. R, 11. Rhodes: Mr. W. Crow, formerly secretary to Sir W. Hall-Jones, to Mr. Fowlds, and.to Mr. Ell. Hon. Dr. Pomare: Mr. A. N. Poison, who has acted as assistant secretarj in the offices of the Hon. E. M'Kenzie and Mr. Macdonald. Jlr. H. Grocott, who was privato secretary to Jfr. Hanan, has not vet been appointed to any Minister in tho new Cabinet. Ho will bo appointed secretary to the Ministd' who will eventually complete the Cabinet. A MAORI M.L.C. Mr. Wi Pere, one of the representatives in the Legislative Council, has forfeited his seat through his prolonged absence without leave. -The Massey Ministry, however, wishing that ho Should not suffer any hardship in consequence, will probably recommend his Excellency to reappoint Mr. Wi Pero for the remainder of his term. EXODUS OF. MEMBERS. Many southorn members left Wellington last ovening. Others, representing northern constituencies, will leavo the city this morning.