PERSONNEL OF NEW CABINET

Hokitika Guardian, 21 September 1931, Page 6

PERSONNEL OF NEW CABINET

SOME POSSIBILITIES.

REDUCTION OF NUMBER OF MINISTERS.

(By Telegraph—Per Press Association)

WELLINGTON, September 18

Although political developments have not yet reached the stage of the leaders agreeing on the personnel of the new Cabinet, there are indications of importance-which are interesting. As an economy-.,measure the present Cabinet of twelve paid Ministers wiil be reduced to a total of.ten. There is the undecided question regarding the representation of the Independents. If they are included, Mr Wilkinson (Egmonth) is the obvious choice, and may lead to an extension- of the number to that extent, leaving the United and Reform shares on an-equaßbasis.

It is probable that the United Ministers will be the Right Hon. G. W. Forbes, the Hon. E. A. Ransom, the Hon. Sir Apiranan Ngata, the Hon. W. A. Veitch and the Hon. S. G. Smith.

Lobby, opinion inclines to the belief that the Right Hon J. G. Coates will ask the Hon AY. Downie Stewart and Messrs A. E. Ansell, D. Jones and R. A. Wright to be his colleagues /n the coalition.

The distribution of portfolios, under the exeeeptional conditions will not be important after the placing of the finance and allied departments. Air Forbes, probably, will retain External Affairs, which is associated with the Prime Minister’s position, Mr Coates, taking charge of the important spending department of Public Works. Mr Downie Stewart will undertake Finance and Customs. The inclusion of Mr Veitch is suggested because of the importance of solving the transport problem, of which he has a grasp, while Mr Smith can continue to grapple with another outstanding task, the relief of unemlovnient.