THE CABINET.

Hokitika Guardian, 27 June 1923, Page 1

THE CABINET.

EXTENSIVE CHANGES. [BY TKI.KGRM’n —PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.] AYKLLINGTON, June 2C. Under the recent re-adjustment of portfolios, Sir F. Dell resigns that of Justice, which is being taken by Hon. Air Rarry, who takes over also the administration of the Police and Prisons Department. Air Parr resigns the Health portfolio, which is being taken over by Sir AI. I’omnie. Hon. Downie Stewart resigns the Internal Affairs portfolio, which is being taken by- Air Bollard, who is also acling-Alinister of Lands, because of the ill-health of Hon. Guthrie. The administration of the Public Trust is now being assumed by Air .Massey. Hon. Air Coates retains charge of the Native Affairs portfolio, and the portfolio of Postmaster-General. That of Alinistcr of Telegraph is held over. The Ministry now is a.s follows: Afr Alassey: Prime Alinistcr, and .Minister of Finance, State Advances, Public Trust, Electoral Department, and Valuation Department. Sir F. Bell: Attorney-General. Leader of the Legislative Council, Crown Law Ollice, and Law Drafting Office. lion. Sir \Ym. Fraser: Member of the Executive Council. Hon. Air Guthrie: Minister of Lands. lion. Mr Nusworthy: Minister of Agriculture and Immigration. lion. Air Coates: Minister of Railways, Public Works, Postmaster-Gen-eral, Minister in Charge of Roads, Public Buildings and Friendly Sociot ies. Hon. Afr Anderson : Alinistcr of Alanne, Labour and Pensions. Hon. Mr Parr: Minister of Education, Justice, Prisons anil Police. I lull. Downie Stewart: Alinistcr of Customs, Industries and Commerce. Sir Heaton Rhodes: Alinistcr of Defence, War Pensions and State Forestry. Hon. Sir AI. Poware: Minister of Native Race, Health, and in Charge of Cook Islands. Hon. Air Bollard: Minister of Internal Affairs and Acting-Minister of Lands and Repatriation. SOUTH ISLAND IGNORED. WELLINGTON. June 23.

Apart from the natural disappointment existing among a few members ol the Governent party who had to be overlooked in making the recent appointment to the Ministry, there is a more important cause for dissatisfaction among Air Alassey’s party over the situation, and a correspondent was informed from more than one source that it- was ventilated at the recent caucus with some emphasis. This is the overlooking of the Smith Island in making the appointment. As the southern representatives in the Government party are few m number, they are dillidciit about giving public expression to their disappointment over the position, as it might 1., token as an attempt- to push then own interests. However, they made

themselves heard in caucus, so it is reported, and claimed that if it is only for the element, of the largo area of cmintrv represented by the fsontl. _ ls|ii Jioiild have stronger numerical representation in Cabinet. Ihc natural retort- of supporters ot Hie policy actually adopted seems to have been that when Uie South Island- (lithe Oamaru part’of it had the chance tli return a Alinistcr, it ret used to take U So ihc South Island must pu< up with :« UviM.mhml rc’proM'UltitioM > n *' u ‘ Cabinet, although two at least ol Hie Government members who tome fiom lhr south arc recognised as being cap;,|,|i' of Liking Alinistcrial rcspousi‘■l’lio disaffection is md conlined t<> South Islanders. Wellingion suppuri-,.-s of i lie Reform Party feel Hint they have not been fairly nvated in the ron■i it „’. im of H,o Cabinet. I lie "nearest Minister to ivpre-clit them is the Hon D 11. Guthrie, whose constituency l ,-vcr a hundred miles away, he is unIcrl iiiiaiely in “oor a slate PcoMi that H is not likely that he will lake an active iiarl in politics lor many .'..aiths Ii niav he Hull he will ultii,lntelv decide m l to risk hi- recovery hv , ant inning to hold AI mi.-lenal other . hut fur the prcs.'iit this possibility m , , hciiie discussed excepting to the extent of a suggestion by members interested that if Mr Guthrie resigned the Main, of the Smith 1 -Inml <otl d mb llicli ho ignored. I lie 'u" " within the Government pajly “ ' recent Cabinet change is thal__H is - ...,ce of “Auckland all the time.