CABINET SWORN IN

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 129, 1 May 1940, Page 2

CABINET SWORN IN

PORTFOLIOS ALLOCATED. PERSONNEL UNCHANGED. Per Press Association. WELLINGTON,; April 30 ' The resignation of himself and his colleagues who formed the temporary Ministry following lit. Hon. M. J. Savage’s death was tendered to the Governor-General at Government House to-day by Hon. P. Fraser, who submitted proposals for a new Government. His Excellency accepted the resignations and approved of Mr Fraser’s list of portfolios. Later Mr Fraser and his colleagues were sworn in. , ; Because of his illness ITon. W. Lee' Martin was unable to attend at Government House, but he has been confirmed as a member of the Executive Council and in the office of Minister of Agriculture till he is sufficiently recovered to be sworn in. The new Government with the portfolios and departments consists of:— HON. P. FRASER. —Prime Minister, Minister in charge of Broadcasting, Legislative, Electoral, Audit, High Commissioner’s and Police Departments. HON. W. NASH.—Minister of Finance, Minister of Customs, Minister of Stamp Duties, Minister of Marketing, Minister in charge of Land and Income Tax, Public Service, Superannuation and Census and Statistics Departments. HON. D. G. .SULLlVAN—Minister of Industries and Commerce, Minister of Supply, Min ster of Railways, Minister in charge of the Scientific and Industrial Research Department. HON. IT. G. R. MASON.—Minister of Education, Attorney-General, Minister of Justice,' Minister in charge, of Prisons Department, Public Trust and Patents Offices. HON. H. T. ARMSTRONG.—Minister of Health, Minister in charge of the Mental Hospitals Department. Minister in charge of Housing and State Advances. HON. It. SEMPLE.—Minister, of Public Works, Minister in charge of Roads and Public Buildings, Minister of 'Transport, Minister of Marino and Minister in charge of Inspection of Machinery. HON. W. PARRY.—Minister of Internal Affairs, Minister of Social Security, Minister in charge of Registrar-General’s Office. HON. P. C. WEBB.—Minister of Labour, Minister of Mines, Postmas-ter-General, Minister of Telegraphs, Minister in charge of .Printing and Stationery Department. HON. F. JONES.—Minister of Defence, Minister in charge of War Pensions. HON. W. LEE MARTTN —Minister of Agriculture, Minister in charge of Friendly Societies and National Provident Fund Departments. HON. F. LANGSTONE.—Minister of Lands, Commissioner of State Forests. Minister of External Affairs, Native- -Minister, Minister for Cook Islands, Minister in charge of the Native Trust and Valuation Departments, Land for. , Settlements, Scenery Preservation , and Tourist and Health Resorts. HON. D. WlLSON.—Minister of Immigration, Minister of Alan. Power, Minister in charge of the Government Life Insurance and State Fire Insurance Departments, PREMIER’S PORTFOLIOS. In a statement'in the Press to-night Air Fraser said the portfolios of Education, Health and Marine,- as well as the charge of mental - hospitals, had been placed in very capable hands. It was with groat reluctance he was compelled by pressure of work to relinquish them, but in view of the additional duties occurring through the war situation it was quite impossible for him to carry oub efficiently the Alinisterial administration of such important departments. He wished to express his appreciation lor the very many requests ho had received from Education Boards and other educational governing authorities, from school committees, parents’ associations, teachers’ organisations and many individual teachers and others interested in education that he should remain Alinister ofEducation. In normal circumstances he would most certainly have endeavoured to continue his direct personal association with the many activities of the Education Department. The same remark applied to the position of Minister of Health. Air Fraser thanked hospital boards which had urged his retention of the portfolio for their expressions of goodwill. He could assure all those who were connected in any capacity with the important work of education and health, mental hospitals and marine that the Ministers-''appointed to control, those departments were just as keenly interested as he was and that as good or even better results would be obtained under their direction. Air Fraser said he would like to take tin's opportunity of thanking all public bodies, departmental officers, and private individuals who had extended their help and co-operation to him in his Alinisterial work during the last four and a half years. Ho regretted that he had not been able to follow the example of Air Savage and assume the portfolios of Native,Affairs, Cook Islands and External Affairs, but it was quite impossible in tbc present circumstances. Air Langstone brought both experience and sympathetic insight to the administration of these positions. VACANCY STILL EXISTS. Hon. D. Wilson is also Leader of the Legislative Council. The allocation of Alinisterial offices and departments is conditioned by the fact that, as previously announced by the Prime Alinister, consideration of the appointment of one or two new Ministers will be given at the next party' caucus meeting, and a limited reallocation will thus again be necessary. The death of Air Savage left a vacancy in the Cabinet and the question of an additional Alinister will also he considered, The portfolio of External Affairs has been allocated to Air Langstone, who for some months past has been carrying out the detail work associated with it. The Alinistry of External Affairs. as at present constituted deals only with the administration of the mandated territory of Western Samoa. All questions concerning foreign or international affairs and relations with the British Commonwealth of Nations will continue as at present to be dealt with by the Prime Minister. For some time past the Government lias had under consideration the problem of the post-war restoration, and particularly the rehabilitation of returned soldiers upon which a comprehensive enquiry and report have already been made. A sub-committee of Cabinet was set up, and when the necessary regulations are framed the A 1 blister will be deputed to direct and administer the , permanent: organisation. Air Jones will now be able to devote bis entire attention to defence arid war pensions. Air Parry now becomes Alinister of Social Security, bjit as he has been

Acting-Alinister since 1 more than a year ago, this involves no great change. ,r f ■ Air AVilson, in addition to being Leader of the Legislative Council,-, is now Minister of immigration, Minister of Manpower,-j and Alinister in Charge of the Government Life Insurance and State Eire Insurance Departments. RADIO CONTROL. Tlie Prime Alinister, following the example of Air Savage, assumes personal control of broadcasting. Air Alason is to take over Education. Air Armstrong becomes Alinister of Health, and Air Semple is to be Aliriister of Marine, These three portfolios were formerly held by Air Fraser. Air AVebb takes over the portfolios of Postmaster-General and Alinister of Telegraphs, formerly administered by Air Jones. Air Nash retains the portfolio of Finance and allied positions as well as Alarketing. There is no change in AH Sullivan’s responsibilities, or in those of Mr Lee Alartin.