WAR ADMINISTRATION DUTIES

Dominion, Volume 36, Issue 20, 19 October 1942, Page 4

WAR ADMINISTRATION DUTIES

Adjustment Of Work GOVERNMENT INTENTIONS AWAITED ■ A declaration toy the Government as to its intentions in regard: to the future of the War Administration is eagerly awaited. At least some adjustment of portfolios and Ministerial responsibilities will be demanded by recent events. No appointment of a Minister of National Service has been announced since the resignation of Mr. Broadfoot, who was one of the National Barty Ministers to withdraw from the War Administration, and work involved in the administration of this important department will have to be assigned to some Minister. The breakdown of the administration also leaves the Minister of Industrial Manpower, Mr. McLagan, in a somewhat curious position, as he is not a member of the domestic Cabinet or the War Cabinet.

It will be interesting to learn whether other Ministers will be appointed to assume Ministerial responsibility for the control of war expenditure, civil defence and primary production for war purposes so as to fill the offices recently vacated by Mr. Holland, Mr. Bodkin and Mr.’Polson. There is much speculation over the likelihood of Independent members and an Auckland provincial member of the Opposition being co-opted to reconstitute the M ar Administration. Caucuses of the Labour Party were held last Wednesday and Thursday; another took place yesterday,'lasting more than three hours.