TIE NATIONAL MINISTRY

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2534, 7 August 1915, Page 6

TIE NATIONAL MINISTRY

TWELVE MEMBERS

THE PERSONNEL & PORTFOLIOS

STATEMENTS BY PARTY LEADERS

The personnel of the National Ministry was announced by tho Prime Minister last night, as -under:— \ The Rt. Hon, W. F. Massoy, Prime Minister, Minister of Lands, Minister of Labour. Tho Hon. J. Allen, Minister of. Defence. The Hon. W. H. Herries, Minister of Railways, Minister of Native 'Affairs. The Hon. A. L. Herdman, Attorney-General, Minister-in-Chargeof Prisons, Police, and the Stamp Department. The Hon. W. Fraser, Minister of Public Works. The Hon. Sir Francis H. D. Bell, Leader of the Legislative Council (Honorary Minister). The Hon. Sir Joseph Ward, Minister of Finance, PostmasterGeneral, Commissioner of • Telegraphs. The Hon. Dr. M'Nal), Minister of Justice, Minister of Marine, Minister-in-Charge of Tourist and Health Resorts. The Hon. C. W. Russell, Minister of Internal Affairs, Minister of Public Health. The Hon. A. M. Myers, Minister of Customs, Minister of Munitions and Supplies. The Hon. W. D. S. Mac Donald, Minister of Agriculture, Minister of Mines. The 'Hon. J. A. Hanan, Minister of Education, Minister of Immigration (Honorary Minister). The Hon. Dr. Pomaro will remain in the Executive, representing the Native race, and he will retain control of tho Cook Islands Administration.

MR. MASSEY'S STATEMENT. TRIBUTE TO ME. RHODES. "You will notice," said Mr. Massey, "that the number exceeds tlie number mentioned ill the Act which lias been passed by Parliament, but tho law allows us to appoint two additional Ministers without salary, and that is what has been done. "I wish to say a word about' Mr. Rhodes," Mr. Massey continued. "I thoroughly appreciate the generosity of the Hon. Mr. Rhodes in coming 'forward and placing his resignation in my hands in order to facilitate tho forma'tion of a National Cabinet. I part from him, as a Minister, with sincere regret. Although Mr. Rhodes "had no ambition to fill the pages of Hansard, and although he did not make a great deal of iioiso in tho House, I have no hesitation in saying, after having seen his work for the last three years, that he was 0110 of the best administrators of a Government Department that this country has ever seen. He was always courteous and considerate to his officers, and everything he took in hand was dono thoroughly and well. "Will Make Things Easier." ... "This now arrangement," said Mr. Massoy, "will make things easier for me, and I shall be able to assist any Minister who for tho time being may require assistance. "When tho Houso meets again we shall get on with tho. important moasures still remaining to be dealt' with, and I don't think that the session should Inst many weeks after wo again settle down to business. Other Coad Men and True. "Thero are other members of the party," ho went on to say, "who might very reasonably claim that ■ when a change occurred and an opportunity offered they wore entitled to Ministerial position, but theTo has not been a single word of complaint. On tho contrary every member felt that in a great Imperial crisis such i as that wo aro experiencing, it was his duty to sink personal interests so that the two parties in- the State might work together for tho good of the country and the Empire. What has happened to-day is tho consummation of Macaulay's ideal: "Nono were far the party, and all wore for tho State." SIR JOSEPH WARD SPEAKS.. . CHOICE OF COLLEAGUES. statement on the formation of tho Ministry was mado by Sir Joseph Ward. "Necessarily," he said, "tho choico of men to bo included in the Ministry frojn tho Opposition was, as is always tho case, an exceedingly difficult and delicate matter. There are other good men in the ranks of the Opposition whom the limitation of numbor prevents from inclusion in a National Cabinet. I want to make it clear concerning Dr. M'Nab that ho quite generously, and of his own accord, informed mo and tho members of .the party of his willingness to stand completely aside, and it is only fair to him to say that it was upon my special request to-day that ho consented to .leave himself in my hands! I : think the whole party will agree with me in saying that his inclusion in a National Cabines is a good thing for the country. A man of his recognised capabilities both adds pestigo and gives support to any combination of members who form a National Ministry. My one regret as Leader of tho Opposition is that from various causes, and especially tho 0110 I mentioned—limitation of numbers —it is impossible for me- to recognise fully the claims of the others,. and to give every man the position for which ho is qualified. To Achieve the Best Results. "Tho National Cabinet has come into existence to deal with war matters, and generally to help this portion of the Empire to do all that is necessary for it to do, and the elimination of all internal active party politics necessarily follows if the best work is to bo done for the protection of the wide interests of every class' of the community. I am quite satisfied that the humblest in tho land is just- as much concerned at present as tho highest in the land in having tho best results possible with a viow of maintaining a strong position in six or twelve months from now, from a business standpoint, from tho workers' standpoint, and from tho standpoint of the general industries of tho country.' Consequently it is desirable that there should be general co-opcra-tion amongst the contending political parties, both inside and outside of tho House, to achieve the best possible results'during thistimo of crisis, and until a distinct-victory is won over the enemies of the British Empire, the aim of tho people, through tho public men of the country, should be to have no unnecessary divisions which might hamper tho attainment of the common object that all desire." ANOTHER ANNIVERSARY, THE MINISTRY SWORN IN. All the members of the Ministry, with the exception oF Dr. M'Nab. _went to Government Honso to meet His Excellency tho Governor yesterday afternoon, and Sir Joseph Ward, Mr. Russell, Mr. MacDonakl, and Mr. Hanan tcok the oaths required of Ministers of tho Crown! It is understood that Dr. M'Nab, who is in the South Island, will be attested by His Excellency at Christchurch on Tuesday next. The members of the Reform Ministry who already held office were, not, of course, required to renew their oat-hs._ It is a curious coincidence that this Ministry ivas sworn in on August 6, tho anniversary of tho day on which tho first Ww'd _ilj.iii.strj. ,tws attested in 1305. The

only two members of that Ministry in the present Cabinet are Sir Joseph Ward Every member of -the ntfw Alinistry lias held Cabinet rank previously. Sir Joseph Ward was l'rimo Minister from August, 1906, until February, 1912. Dr. M'Nab was a member of the War.d Ministry formed in 1906, and lie went out of tho Ministry and out of Parliament on his defeat for tho Mataura scat by Mr. G. J. Anderson in .1908. Ho was defeated for tho Palmerston seat in 1911 by Mr. 1). Buick, but in t'lio 191J- election lie won the Hawke's Bay seat from Mr. H. M. Campbell.. Mr. Mac Donald was a member of tho ill-starred Mackenzie Ministry which hold office for a few merry months in 1912. Mr. Russell, Mr. Myors, and Mr. Hanan were all in the Mackenzie Ministry. Other Departments. It will bo noted that a new portfolio, that of Munitions and Supplies, is to bo created, and Mr. Myers, a gentleman who in private life lias big business interests, should be able to do the Stato good service in control of it. It will bo administered as a separate Department, and not merely as an. adjunct of tho Defence Department. Tho Prime Minister will keep control of the Electoral Department, the Valuation Department, and also of Stato Forests. Mr. Allen will resume full control of Defence, including that branch of tho work relating to military hospitals, which ho had previously delegated to Mr. Rhodes. CONDITIONS OF UNION. A statement has been published that ono of the conditions upon which the Opposition Leader insisted before agreeing to join a National Cabinet was the repeal of tho Legislative Council Act. This is not correct. The Act is not to bo repealed, but there seems _ to bo somo agreement that tho Act is to be amended to provide for the extension for ono year of the period within which members may bo nominated to the Ctuncil. This nxtsnsion will make nominations possible for ono year from January 1, 1916, tho date on which tho Act comes into operation. Another condition imposed by the Opposition had to do with the cost of living. The proposal is that a board shall bo set rip to investigate merchants' profits, and make, recommendations to the Government to prevent merchants from charging exorbitant profits. This' will entail only a small amendment of the Monopolies Prevention Act. THE'LABOUR PARTY A MANIFESTO. The following manifesto, over the signature of the chairman (Mr. A. H. Hindmarsh) was issued by the Labour Party last night "The fact that tho members of the Labour Party were not in tho Houso when the Prime Minister and the Leader of tho Liberal Opposition made their pronouncements in regard to a Coalition Government has been misinterpreted in certain quarters. "Tho Labour Party being pledged to oust tho Massey Ministry has stood loyally by the Liberals and attended conferences of the two Opposition parties as long as thero was any prospect of attaining their common object. The last conference of the' Opposition parties did not rise till well after ono o'clock, and Sir Joseph Ward asked the Labour Party to meet to consider the new proposal and convey its decision to him. And while this was being done tho Prime Minister and Sir Joseph Ward mado their pronouncements in the House. Sir Joseph Ward courteusly and franldv admits that the formation of a National Government with tho Rij/ht Hon. Mr. Massey as Prime. Minister absolved tho Labour members from their pledges to help tho Liberals in the common object, "In the negotiations for amalgamation, Sir Joseph Ward rightly contended that oven a majority of ono in the Cabinet 'could insist on taxation proposals which might be at variance ivit-h principles and pledges which tho Opposition held and had given to the country.' If that is true, so far as the Liberal Party is concerned, when a _six-to-fivo proposal was under consideration, how much stronger is tho case for the Labour Party on a iiine-to-one proposal question. We conceive it to bo in tho very best interest of the country that the Labour group should be absolutely free to honestly criticise any proposals brought forward by the Coalition Government; criticism of a constructive character is not only legitimate, but highly desirable. As Sir Joseph Ward lias already said, 'reference to the Constitution of the British National Cabinet is scarcely relevant to the position here, seeing that the British National Cabinet has to deal with Imperial issues which cannot bo touched by our own Parliament.' It is a matter of common knowledge that thero were members of all three political parties opposed to the idea of a Coalition Government. "It is absolutely plain that had either Mr. Massey or Sir Joseph been able to carry on a Government and submit taxation proposals which would ho acceptable to a majority of the members of the House there would have been no coalition. . In the circumstances the only alternative to a Coalition Government was another general election. Thero was no difficulty in regard to Defence, because both the Liberal Party and the Labour Party had loyally supported (he Government in all its defence proposals. "Tho Labour Party did not absent itself from the House in order to show its disapproval of what had been done, because, after all, there is every reason why the two large" political* parties should join hands, Wo realise that the political situation in New Zealand is alJoaH>b,9K _ front ..that of of.

the Australian Governments, because in Australia the Governments can carry their proposals, even though ill one case there is only a. majority of one. The Labour Party will assist tho Coalition Government in every effort to help the Mother Country to maintain and uphold the highest ideals of liberty and justice." IMPERIAL GOVERNMENT'S MESSAGE. His Excellency the Governor has received the following cablegram from the Secretary of State for the Colonies: — "Please inform your Ministers that wo have learned with much pleasure that political parties in New Zealand havo united to form a. National Government." The Prime Minister and Sir Joseph Ward havo had numerous congratulatory telegrams from, friends in New Zealand, SUPPLIES & EQUIPMENT * !A' BOAIID APPOINTED. A Board to advise and assist the Government in regard to the purchase of supplies and equipment has been set up by the Minister of Defence (tho Hon.' J. Allen). It.will consist of tho following gentlemen Mr. A. H.'Miles (partner in the firm of Murray, Roberts, and' Co.); Mr. A. Macintosh (of Dalgety and Co., Ltd.), Mr. G. AVi Iso (of the firm of Messrs. Aitken and' 'Wilson). Theso three gentlemen, said Mr. Allen yesterday, had offered their services voluntarily and gratuitously. They wished to do this work as a part of their contribution to the Empire. Their duty will be to advise tho Department in all questions of supplies '< in regard to equipment, and the stores of the Defence Department, and of the troopships. Tho reason for tho appointment, said Mr. Allen, is that the work has developed so enormously that it has become too large for tho Department to cany it on unassisted, and the Minister thinks that it will also be a. very great assistance to havo tho benefit of the expert experience and knowledge the Board will be able to bring to bear on these important matters. Tho Board, ho said, would be associated with tho Defence Department, and not with the new Department of Munitions and Supplies, over Which the Hon. A. M. Myers is to have control. ' " FRANCE WILL WIN " SHE IS CONFIDENT AND CALM By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright Paris, August 5. President I'oincare. in a message to the Senato and tho Chamber of Deputies on the anniversary of the declaration of war, emphasised the (*reat current of national fraternity which swept all disputes and differences aside. Masters and workmen, rich and poor, united to face the enemy. Because she was united, Franco was confident and calm. Ho declared that the only peace the Republic could accept would be one that would guarantee the safety of Europe, and reconstitute our dismembered country, and protect it effectually against an offensivo return of Germanic ambition. "France wants to win, and it will win. Franco is sure of her Allies, and they aro suro of France." • Tho Chamber was crowded. Many Deputies were absent at tho front. Five seats wero covered by tho tricolour and draped in mourning, tho_ former occupants having been killed in. action. SOUTH AFRICAN REBEL 1 GETS TWO YEARS' IMPRISONMENT ' By Telegraph—Presa Association—Copyright Pretoria, August 5. _ Grobler, a grandson of tho late President Kruger, a prominent Hertzogite, and a member of Parliament, who was charged in Jsunary last, with others, with treason, has been sentenced to two years' imprisonment and fined £500. INSURANCES PAID FOR THOSE KILLED IN THE WAR. By Telegraph-Press Association—Copyright London, August 5. , British life insurance companies havo paid out £3,000,000 in respect of those killed in war. gTEEL WORKERS FINED FOR BEING ABSENT FROM WORK. By. Telegraph—Press. Association—Copyright London, August 5. Nine steel-workers at Jarrow havo been fined 80s. for being absent from work on Government contracts. BRITISH GOLD RESERVE SCHEME TO STRENGTHEN IT. B T Telegraph—Press Association— Copyright. London, August 5. . With a view to strengthening the gold reserves, tho Treasury-lias instructed post offices and public departments making cash payments to use notes instead of gold whenever possible. The public are invited,to assist by paying in gold to the banks and using notes in payment of accounts. FIRST AUSTRALIAN BOOK — 0 — DISCOVERED IN LONDON BOOKSHOP. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright . London, August 15. Messrs. Hodgson's, booksellers, have discovered a copy believed to be the first Australian book. The imprint is "G. Howe, Sydney, 1814," in tho Taliitian language, and is an epitome _ of Christ's teachings. When the missionaries escaped to Sydney in 1812 from the cannibal Tahitians Howo prepared the book and returned when tho lelauders were tranquil.