The Guardian. MONDAY, FEB. 14th, 1921. THE MINISTRY.

Hokitika Guardian, 14 February 1921, Page 2

The Guardian. MONDAY, FEB. 14th, 1921. THE MINISTRY.

Thk fact that on the morning of the Prime Minister’s departure front Du nodin it is announced in a semi-official way that Captain W. Downie Stewart is to he appointed to the Ministry, the news may be accepted as fairly circumstantial. As Sir Heaton Rhodes took the place of Sir Win. Fraser, it may ho accepted that Mr Stewart is to take the pjace of Sir Wm. Merries. This will give a better inter-island balance, which consideration counts no doubt in a general way with the press and pul>lic in viewing the composition of the Ministry. The North Island members of the Cabinet now will he: Hons. Massey, Guthrie, Coates, Parr, Pomare, and S'' - F. Bell. The South Island members will be Hons. Nosworthy, Lee, Anderson, Stewart, and Sir Heaton Rhodes. As divisions go, this is a more equitablo division of strength, even though it gives Otago three seats in the Ministry, which will lie considered some counter balance to the Auckland strength which hitherto prevailed so markedly. As to the' choice of Air Downie Stewart, the appepntment will be viewed with mixed feeling throughout the country. Air Stewart M.P., along with Mr Seddon was the first of the New Zealand Parliament to volunteer for active service. In that service his health broke clown badly in Egypt and In- was invalided home a broken man. He has never fully recovered his bodily health and to' that extent is not able to take a personally active part in the country’s administration. Mr stewart however has an active and callable mind and as a pure administrator should lie of great service to the Ministry. During Mr Massey’s absence, for instance, it will not be surprising to find Mr Stewart installed almost permanently at Wellington, attending to administrative matters, and the interwoven detail which will require to be followed out very closely. Mr Stewart is an cxMavor of Dunedin, and in view of his public service and his sacrifices in the war, his appointment will be accepted with a goejid deal of patience, even though he may not be considered capj able of active duties as a Minister passing freelv up and down the country. Like such appointments as Air Doe and AM Parr, Air Stewart, can lmrdly be considered an out and out Reformer. As a matter of fact Air Stewart miidif best be classed ns a Progressive Liberal, though out of the. Liberal fold. He was, we believe associated with the Reform cave which threatened to split the Reform party while Air Alassev was last at Home. In securing three of the disaffectcds Mr Massey might be credited with doing a rather neat stroke of policy if he still reads signs of disaffection among his own party. . The Reform party is not strong in individual membership and the selection of Air

Stewart is perhaps as good as any other choice, for as we say, the latter has ability and administrative experience. His health has prevented him showing off to advantage in the House, but in the quiet of an office he might be able to render excellent service in helping to carry on while the political chief is absent. His personal worth suggests a fair trial at any rate, and that the country will give him most readily.