CABINET APPOINTMENTS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 3040, 25 May 1926, Page 2

CABINET APPOINTMENTS.

MR. R. A. WEIGHT MINISTER OF EDUCATION. Wellington, Last Night. Before leaving for the north tonight, the Prime Minister (Hon. J. G. Coates), made the following statement regarding appointments to Cabinet and changes consequent upon Cabinet reconstruction in connection with Ministerial portfolios and the administration of various Government Departments: The portfolio of Education has been offered to and accepted by Mr. R. A. Wright, M.P., for Wellington Suburbs, and he will be sworn in immedately in order that he may take up his Ministerial duties as early as possible. In addition to Education, Mr. Wright will take over Friendly Societies and the National Provident Fund. In accordance with the intimation I made some time ago, Hon. Mr. Doivnie Stewart will become Minister of Finance and Minister of Stamp Duties. In view of the important and onerous duties attaining to the Finance portfolio, Mr. Stewart felt himself compelled to relinquish the Attorney-Generalship, and he will be succeeded by Hon. F. J. Rolleston, who is also Minister of Justice and Minister of Defence. Hon. W. Nos worthy will become Postmaster-Gfeneral ian;d Minister of Telegraphs in succession to Hon. Sir James Parr. In addition he will take over the administration of the portfolio of External Affairs previously held by the Rt. Hon. Sir Francis Bell. In order to relieve Hon. My. Stewart, it has been decided that Hon. Mr McLeod will assume the portfolio of Industries and Commerce in addition to taking charge of the Valuation and Electoral Departments. In connection with the approaching Parliamentary session, Hon Sir Heaton Rhodes will be asked to act as Leader of the Legislative Council during the absence of Sir Francis Bell. I wish also to lake this opportu-i nitv of intimating that it is my intention to relinquish the portfolio of Public Work's in order to lessen the load which I have been carrying, and also to give me more time to devote to the strenuous duties of Parliament. I hope to make an announcement as to the new Minister of Public. Works in due course. HON. R. A. WRIGHT. The Hon. Robert Alexander Wright, who has received the portfolio of Edneation is a native of Dunedin, Mr. Wright accompanied his parents to Hokitika at the age of two, and was educated at Scots

ixranunar dciiuoi. imer serving us an apprentice in the composing room of the “West Coast Times” he came to Wellington and joined the staff of the Government Printing Office. Subsequently he was appointed printing overseer of the now defunct “New Zealand Mail,” with which journal he was associated for seventeen years. Finally Mr. Wright commenced business on his own account, entering into partnership with Mr. W- J. Carmen to establish the printing firm of Messrs. Wright and Carmen. Mr. Wright, won his Parliamentary spurs in 1908, when he defeated Mr. W. H. P. Barber for the Wellington South seat. He gained a seat on the Wellington City Council in 1913, and served the city in that capacity for twelve years and in 1921 he was elected Mayor, defeating Mr. P. Hickey by 5000-vot-es. The 1923 municipal elections again found him a candidate for the Mayoralty, and once again success came his way. After serving one term in Parliament as representative for Wellington South, Mr. Wright was unseated, but at the next elections, in 1914, he was returned as member for Wellington Suburbs, and has held the seat continuously since. The new Minister of Education served the city as a member of the Harbour Board from [ 1913 to 1921, and also occupied a seat on the Victoria College Council. Up until his elevation to the Cabinet he was still a member of the Wellington Education Board. The new Minister has acted on numerous committees during his career in Parliament and is a ready debater.