CABINET APPOINTMENTS.

Putaruru Press, Volume IV, Issue 117, 21 January 1926, Page 4

CABINET APPOINTMENTS.

did first step in Cabinet reorganisation is taken in the appointment ox the. three new Ministers. Possibly tins is rather foreign to the general ideas, which were that retirements and appointments should come together. It was the general view that several weak members of the Cabinet eouid be replaced with advantage to the country. The country looked to Mr. Coates for reorganisation ; it gave a mandate at the general elec--11 on to Mr. Coates in no half-hearted manner ; it placed him in a position to carry out his plans. But though it might have desired the whole reorganisation to be effected in one act' as it were—yet the one person best capable of judging how to proceed is the Prime Minister himself. His is the :nsK. When he completes his reorganisation it will be time to weigh -p- vie vabineo as a whole. To the dnee new Ministers little exception can be taken. Both Mr. 'J. A. Young and Mr. F'. J. Rollfeston have proved themselves as not merely capable politicians, but as men with original ideas and the courage to express them. Mr. Young is well known in this district as an indefatigable worker and there have been few electmates better served than has the one he represents. If for one thing alone Mr. Coates is entitled to congratulation in that lie has not passed by the man of strength of mind and independence of thought for the member who. is only an obedient party man, and whose highest qualification is faithful service. Both Mr. J. A. 1 oung, the new Minister of Health, and Mr. F. J. Rolleston, who becomes Minister of Justice and Defence, have been marked m their political careers by an independence and originality

I TTTT Tins sometimes earned them away from the rest of the party. Mr. O. Hawken, who takes over the portfolio of Minister of Agriculture from the Hon. W. Nosworthy, is a member who .has made his mark more in the councils of the party than on the floor of the House. A deep thinker, there are many who regard him as typically Conservative. But such is wrong. Indefatigable and patient in ascertaining- the facts, weighing up all sides of a case, he may sometimes be slow in expressing an opinion. But once he has it will be found a sound one. He is particularly fitted to take up the duties of the office he has been appointed to.