THE NEW FRENCH MINISTER.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 6, Issue 265, 5 April 1917, Page 2 (Supplement)

THE NEW FRENCH MINISTER.

There have been freqtiM polil changes in France during the war j iod, and the latest, as represented the constitution of a new Cabinet, just been announced. The Cab formed by M. Briand on October 3 1915, was reconstructed on Dec-em 13th. 1916, the personnel being redi from 17 Ministers to 10, of whom formed the War Committee. Five m bers of that Ministry are in the i Cabinet: —M. Ribot, who was Mini for Finance, and has now underta the Premiership and the Foreign Mi try resigned by M. Briand; Adm Lacaze, who remains as Minister Marine; M. Thomas, formerly Mini< for Munitions, who has undertaken Ribot's former portfolio of Finance; Clementelj who has the new portfi of Food Control; and M. Malvy, * was Minister for the Interior, and i now succeeded M. Clementel as Minis; for Commerce. The new Minister War, M. Paul Painleve, was Minis for Public Instruction and Invents in the Briand Ministry before the recc

struction in December. M. Bourge the Minister for Labour, was one the Ministers without portfolio in first Briand Cabinet, and during middle <f last year acted temporal as Minister for Justice. Since Angi 1914, France has had six War Minist*

—three civilians and three soldie "When th 9 war broLe out M. Mcsslr

was in office, a politician whose ch claim to fame is that he selected Gei ral Joffre to head the General Staff Franco three years before the war, th giving the victor of the Marne the « portunity to butfd up a strong defe sivo army for France. A few wee later his place vras taken by M. Ale andro Millerand, a much stronger ma] who had worked with Joffre in strengt

ening and reorganising the Frenc Army. The late General Gaflieni, o ganiser of Madagascar, who bad d; , played both genius and high valour i preparing the defence of Paris, succeei ed Millerand, and a few days before h death was succeeded by General Chart* Roques, who, in December, made ws for General Lyautey. These fan soldiers all had their trainisg i France's colonial empire; Gallieni an Roques in Tonkin, as well as Africj while General Lyautey proudly boas! that he is "one of Gallieni's pupils. The portfolio has again been entrust© to a civilian, M. Pamleve. M. Ribot who is now 75 years of age, is one t the most eminent statesmen of Franci Ho was first elected a member of in Chamber of Deputies 39 years ago, an he has beei thrice Prime Minister. Hi last tenure of office was in June, 13h when he held office for only two or thre days. He was Minister for Fore* Affairs when the alliance betww * ranee and Russia was concluded H is an eloquent speaker. As Minister fo Finance during » critical period h proved completely successful.