CABINET RECONSTRUCTION

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2364, 3 December 1908, Page 4

CABINET RECONSTRUCTION

SPECULATIONS AND PROBABILI TIES. GATHERING OF GOVERNMENT SUPPORTERS. [Special to “Times.”] AA'ELLIXGTOX, Doc. 2. The presence in Wellington of a considers do number of members of Parliament, all Ministerialists returned at the last election, to the conclusion that there is something in the mture of a Government “caucus” on foot. Members have come from such distant parts as Bullet. Nelson. AA aimate, Raiigitikci. Pahiat-ua. iand AA'aikato. The inference is that they are being “sounded” in connection with .the reconstruction of the Oibinot, which will he necessary owing to the retirement of Air. Hall-Jones and the defeat of Air. AlcNab, but members and the Premier alike refuse to he drawn on the subject. All that Sir J. AA’ard will say is that nothing will he done for a few weeks. Apropis, the “Post” thinks “That the Premier has a difficult and delicate H isk before him. On one point, however. there seems to he general agreement, and that is that the Hon. J. A. Alillar (Alinister for Customs, Labor, and Alarine) will he the new Alinister for Railways. The lands portfolio presents the greatest puzzle of all. Two members whose names have been associated with the vacancy —-Alessrs AA*. T. Jennings and A. AY. Hogg—Uro at present in Wellington. Alt’. T. Alaekenzie (Taieri) is also suggested as a. possibility, but liis allegiance to the present party only dates hack ia few months, and' his chances fpr tlieso reasons are largely discounted in some quarters.” In addition to the above. Alessrs Hogg, Laurcnson, Davey, 11. AlcXcnzio, Buddo," AYilford, Guinness, and Dunne are mentioned as members whose claims will have to he considered. If Air Guinness is appointed one of the new Alinisters, Air. Wilfonl is suggested as being in the running for the Speakership. There are various possibilities, hut whoever is selected, and the task must ho a. very difficult one, there will need to ho some considerable re-arrangement of portfolios.