THE CABINET.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXI, Issue 447, 7 January 1909, Page 3

THE CABINET.

Name? of Now Ministers.

The reconstruction of the Ministry was announced this afternoon.

The Hon. McGowan retires, and will be elevated to the Legislative Council. Messrs R. McKenzie, A. W. Hogg, D. Buddo, T. Mackenzie and Ngata are added to the Executive.

The portfolios are distributed as follows:—

Sir Joseph Ward : Minister for Finance, Postmaster General, Minister for Defence, Minister for Land, Agriculture and Land for Settlement, Laud and Income Tax, the Electoral Department and Advertising Department. The Hon. J. Carroll: Minister for Native Affairs, Minister for Stamps and Deeds, Minister in charge of Cook Islands and Advances to Settlers’ Department. The Hon. J. A. Millar ; Minister for Railways, Minister for Marine, Miuister-in-charge of Friendly Societies and the Inspection of Machinery Department.

The Hon. G. Fowlds : Minister for Education, Immigration, Mental Hospitals and Hospitals, and the State Fire Insurance Department.

The Hon. Dr. Findlay: AttorneyGeneral, Minister for Justice, Mi-uister-iu-charge of Crown Law Department.

The Hon. R. McKenzie; Minister for Public Works and Mines.

The Hon. A. W. Hogg: Minister for Labour and Customs, in charge of the Roads and Bridges Department, and in charge of the Government Printing Office.

The Hon. D. Buddo : Minister for Internal Affairs, Minister for Public Health, in charge of the Valuation Department, and Old Age Pensions.

The Hon. T. McKenzie : Minister for Industries and Commerce, without pay, and of the Tourist, {Scenery and Forestry Departments.

Mr Ngata joins the Ministry as a membeer of the Executive, representing the native race, and will be given charge of the Public Trust Department, Government Insurance, Government Accident Insurance and Maori Councils. The Premier interviewed. The new Ministers have not simply taken up the portfolios relinquished by those who have resigned office. There has been a re-arrangement involving the giving up of one or more portfolios by four out of the five Ministers who are continuing in offi 'e. Thus the Prime Minister parts with the direct control of the Friendly Societies Department, Advances to Settlers, Old Age Pensions, and Public Trust Office. The Hon. J. A. Millar gives up the portfolios of Labour and Customs, and the Hon. G, Fmvlds that of Public Health, while the Hori. Dr Findlay' yields to other hands the control of the Internal Affairs and Insurance Departments. Speaking of the new Ministers, to a pressman, the Prime Minister characterised Mr R. M'Kenzie as a strong man of large experience in public works and mining matters. He looked forward with confidence to seeing these two great Departments'* under his practical administration, being managed for the general benefit of the community.

“Mr Hogg,” continued the Prime Minister, “is not only a very old member of the party, but he is also a man of very wide experience, and endowed with great practical common-sense. His Departments of Labour, Customs, Roads and Bridges are in some respects very difficult to administer, but I am certain that he will carry out the duties attaching to them in the best interests of the people. His knowledge of the printing business is such as to fully justify the Printing Office being placed under his control.”

Mr Buddo and Mr T. McKenzie were both characterised by the Prime Minister as men of wide experience, and he anticipated good results from their administrative work.

In regard to the unsalaried position of Mr T. McKenzie, the Prime Minister explained that there was no legislative authority for the payment of a salary to a ninth member of the Ministry. Asked whether the case would be met by placing a sum on the Estimates year by year, he replied in the negative.

“ The appointment of Mr Ngata to represent the Maori race on the Executive will, I believe, give wide satisfaction,” said the Premier. “ He is a highly-educated man, one whose instincts lead him along the right road. Having the Maori Councils under his jurisdiction will ensure great activity and vigor being applied in that branch of the work of the country. His training as a lawyer will help him greatly in carrying on the important work ofthe Public Trust Office, which deals not only with Europeans, but with many diverse interests closely connected with the Natives.”

Sir Joseph Ward expressed great regret at the severance of the Hon. J. M’Gowan from the Ministry. “He is a very old friend and colleague, and he has earned the personal regard of all who have known him. But changing conditions call for-alterations which, on pers onkl grounds, are greatly regrettid. vMr M’Gowan’s elevation to the Upper House is a wellearned distinction at which no one; will be able to cavil. It is unnecessary for me ,to say that he parts from myself',and his colleagues on the most friendly terms; re has been no unpleasantness i any sort or kind.” \