CABINET CHANGES

Hokitika Guardian, 4 March 1920, Page 4

CABINET CHANGES

[PiSU PitliSS ASSOCIATION.—COPYRIGHT.] WELLINGTON, March 3. In announcing Cabinet changes Mr Massey said that Sii' Francis Boil and Sir IV. Herrios had both expressed a desire to take a well-earned rest, but had consented to continue in office at least through the session. Mr Lee represents Oamaru and he was offered a portfolio last year after the withdrawl of the Liberal Ministers from the National Cabinet, but did not feel ablo then for private reasons to accept a place in the Ministry. Mr Parr is prominent amongst the Auckland members. Mr Massey then referred to changes iu other directions. He did not think it possible to appoint a Minister of Commerce with nothing else to do than to attend to that department. It would be unjust to other departments. He himself had seven departments under his control, and ho did not complain of overwork. Sir IV. Herries has seven departments Mr Guthrie four, Mr Coates five, and Sir F. Bell seyen. The Prime Minister foreshadowed at least two other changes. Sir IV. Herries and Sir Francis Bell had expressed a desire to retire, but he had induced them to stay at least through the coming session. Sir W. Herries was a man of the clearest judgment, lie said, and had obtained, as Native Minister, the complete confidence of the natives. A similar reference was made to the services of the Leader of the Legislative Council, ISir .F. Bell.

The Prime Minister said that in the minds of the Government, hydro-elec-tric development took first place. The schemes in course of construction should be finished first* but the whole question resolved itself into one of labour and material. There was room for improvement in the main roads of the country, some of which were hardly fit for bullock traction. The first main arterial roads must be tackled, and in this connection, he said that he did not agree that good roads meant competition with the railways. On the contrary he thought they were good for the railways.