THE NEW MINISTRY.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 322, 11 July 1912, Page 5

THE NEW MINISTRY.

I Wellington, Yesterday. MR. MASSEY'S CABINET. ONE PORTF6LIO VACANT. By Telegraph—Press Association. After a Cabinet meeting to-night, Mr. Massey announced the following final allocation of portfolios:— HON. W. F. MASSEY, Prime Minister, Minister of Lands, Minister of Agriculture, Minister for Labor, Commissioner of State Forests, Minister in charge of the Lands for Settlement,, Valuation and Scenery Preservation Departments. lION. J. ALLEN, Minister of Finance, Minister of Defence, Minister of Education, Minister in charge of the Land and Income Tax Departments and State Guaranteed Advances Office.

HON. W. H. HERRIES, Minister for Railways, Native Minister, and Minister in charge of racing permits. HON. W. FRASER, Minister of Public Works, Roads, and Bridges, Minister of Mines, Minister of Industries and Commerce, and Minister in charge of Public Buildings and Domains. HON. A. L. lIERDMAN, Attorney-Gen-eral, Minister of Justice, Minister of 'Stamp Duties, Minister in charge of the Police, Prisons, Crown Law (including drafting) and Public Trust Departments. HON. F. M. B. FISHER, Minister of Customs, Minister of Marine, Minister in charge of the Inspection of Machinery, Advertising, Government Printing and Stationery, Legislative, State Fire Insurance, Government Life Accident Insurance, Ele«torai, National Provident- i'uud, and Old Age Pensions Departments. HON. 11. D. BELL, Minister of Internal Affairs, Minister of Immigration, Minister in charge of the Audit Office, Registrar-General, High Commissioner, Museum, Friendly Societies and Laboratory Departments. HON. R. H. RHODES, Postmaster-Gen-eral and Minister of Telegraphs, Minister of Public Health, Minister in charge 'of Hospitals and Charitable Aid and Mental Hospitals Departments, HON. DR. M. POMARE, Member of the Executive Council representing the Native race, Member in charge of the Maori Councils, Cook and other islands administration, Tourists and Health Resorts (including Rotorua Sanatorium and Hospital).

A GOOD SEND-OFF. By Telegraph—Parliamentary Reporter. Wellington, Last Night. The Ministry which has been formed under the leadership of Mr. Massey has started on its career apparently under the happiest auspices. Ex-Ministers and members have combined to wish them political luck,, though Labor has Sounded a warning note that it is not going to be lightly satisfied. There are, however, different views which are probably more significant in that they have not been expressed in public, but the fact remains that there is among some members of the party dissatisfaction at the allocation of portfolios. As already stated by Mr. Massey, Cabinet-making jis an arduous enterprise, replete with j difficulties. Tt is impossible to please | everybody, and he is probably fully i aware by this time that everybody has | not been pleased. Members are somewhat reticent, not desiring, to make their opinions too pronounced, but one thing they do not disguise, and that.is the inclusion in the Government of so many I Wellington representatives, and their discontent at so scant attention being paid to the outlying districts. Individually they have no fault to find with the new Government. all of them are regarded as being men of hisli qualifications. but there is undoubtedly a feeling that the non-inclusion of more country members will tend to weaken the Government as a .political machine. Special comment is made concerning Mr. Fisher, who is regarded by some as not having had long enough service to qualify him for Ministerial rank. It is freely stated that he was offered the j position of Chairman of Committees, I and that he refused it, declaring that he had fully justified his existence as a (fighting force, and that he should be < included in the Ministry. Whatever (may bo said about Mr. Fisher's movc{merits since he first entered Parliament, I it is generally recognised that he is one j of the best platform men in the Govj eminent ranks in the House. He has, v since his first entry, always been able to command a hearing, while in the country his services as a destructive eritic have been generally acknowledged and fully appreciated. If Mr. Fisher is made of the stuff that can run in harness he should be a verv valuable addiI tion to the ranks of the Government.

The position of the Opposition is difficult to define. Indications are that more than one member will strive for the position of leader. Sir Joseph Ward is not regarded as an aspirant for the position, but he is going to he the source of considerable trouble to. his party, or at least to anyone who wants to be its leader. After his many years of Ministerial office and leader of his party he speaks with a knowledge that few possess, and already he lias assumed the role of first critic, with a strong inclination to impart into his criticism a certain amount of patronage of the new Government, and an explanation of his own political past. Other ex-Ministers are also already shaping: as political sharpshooters, relying greatly on the inside information they obtained during the three brief months 'that they enjoyed the benefits of Ministerial existence,, and it is quite likely that tlsey will be able to make themselves, individually and collectively, unpleasant when the occasion arises. Labor is standing off, wary and uncompromising, and yet insistent, though small in numbers. For the rest there appears to be quite a possibility of the Massey Government receiving still more recruits. Some members —many, in fact, of the old Government party—are so averse to a dissolution that they will take almost any course to avert that possibilitv, although they may not ostensibly throw in their lot with the new crowd. Their votes, however, will count just the same, and it looks as if the Massey Government will have a fair run. providing its measures are not of a reactionary nature.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. "ME. MASSEY. The new Primp Minister. Will Ferciißon Massey, is a yorth of Ireland man. having been born in Londonderry. He is 50 years of aae. He came to the colonv in iS7O, eight years after his father and mother arrived, he having been left at Home during that time to complete his education. His father. Mr. John Massey, who died only recently, settled at Otahuhu, near Auckland. Mr. Massey. at the age of fourteen, .came out to help on the farm his parents had acquired. Tie lived with his people for a time, and then put in two years gaining colonial farming experience on Mr. J. 0. N. C.rigg's celebrated estate at Longbeaeh, Canterbury. His own farm, situate at Mangcre, a few miles south of Auckland, is not a large one, but it is a valuable property \v;i.ft\,a, fine dairy herd and some very horses on it. Mr. Massey goJ.-jjjfc, srsti step in

public life, as so many other public Hum in New Zealand have done, on 'a road board. He also served as chairman of the local school committee and as president of the Farmers' Club. He lias sat continuously in Parliament since 1894. From being a mere tyro in politics he quickly became a power, first as Opposition Whip, and subsequently as Leader of the Opposition, to which position he was elected in 1903 on the retirement of Sir William Russell. Ho is a big man in ever}' sense of the word—'big-framed and big-hearted.

MR. JAS. ALLEN. Mr. Jas. Allen, M.P. for Bruce, was born in South Australia, and came to this country some 54 years ago. His father prospered as one of the early Ota go settlers, and young Allen was sent to school in England. He attended Clifton College and St. John's College, Cambridge, where he succeeded in winning a •ckokrship. He specialised in mineralogy, and won the Bessemer and De La Beche medals. He represented his 'Varsity in Rugb;- football. Mr. Allen entered politics in 1887, when he defeated the then Prime Minister, Sir Robert Stout. Since then he has held an unbeaten record in Parliament. Mr. Allen is vice-chancellor of the New Zealand University. I-lis work in connection with the advancement of the Otago Medical School and the Otago -School of Mines will not soon be forgotten. MR. W. HERRIES. Mr. William Herbert Herries is the same age as Mr. Massey, being born in London in 1856. Mr. Herries has made a special study of native affairs, and of railway finance. He is an excellent debater in the House, has a keen faculty for analysis, a succint and logical way of putting facts and arguments, and a keen sense of humor. Mr. Herries is the son of a lmrrister-at-law, and was educated at Eton andsTrinity College, Cambridge, where he took his B.A. degree in 1880. He has been for 32 years a settler in New Zealand, and nas been in Parliament for sixteen years. He has not since been defeated at the polls. He is a Fellow of the Geological Society of London, and takes an interest in New Zealand mining.

MR. A. L. HERDMAN. Mr. A. L. T-lerdman was born at Dunedin on July 17, 1809, and was educated I at the Otago Boys' High School, and at ] Qamaru. Serving for a time in the Na-' tional Bank, he studied law, and was ad- j mitted to the Bar inls94. Mr. Herdman j practised his profession at Palmerston; South and ? t Naseby. In 189S he became-'j Mayor of the latter borough, having prfe- I viously served as a member of the coun- j oil. He was returned to the House of j Representatives as member for Mount j Ida in 1902. and at the next election, I having meantime shifted his residence to) Wellington, was defeated. In 1908 he was returned as member for Wellington North, which seat he again carried by an overwhelming majority at the last general election. In the House Mr. Herd- { man is Tecognised as an able debater I and an effective critic. j

MR. W. FRASER. Mr. W. Fraser ia an able debater and a wise counsellor. He is an experienced politician, with a remarkable knowledge of the country's wants, and is particularly sound on matters of finance, Mr. Fraser is the son of a captain of the Madras Light Cavalry, and was born in India. He came to New Zealand in 1858, and engaged in pastoral pursuits in Central Otago. He hnfs been a member of the House for many years.

MR. R. H. RHODES. Mr. R. 11. Rhodes, the member for Ellesmere, was born at Purau, Lyttelton, on February 27, 18(11. He was educated in New Zealand and in England, and is a graduate of Brasenose College, Oxford. Mr. Rhodes unsuccessfully contested the Heathcote seat against Mr. W. W. Tanner in 1890. He married in 1891, and eight years later successfully contested the Ellesmere seat, which he has since held. The member for Ellesmere has done splendid service in the past as Whip to the party. He has devoted a great deal of time to the defence movement. For some years he was captain of that crack corps, the Canterbury Yeomanry Cavalry. He served with the New Zealand troops in the South African war, and received the Queen's Medal and four clasps. MR. F. M. B. FISHER. Mr. F. M. B. Fisher is only thirty-five years old. He is the son of the late Mr. George Fisfier, who represented Wellington City for many years, and on his death was succeeded by the present member for Wellington Central. Mr. Fisher was educated at various schools in Wellington and at Victoria College. He took an active part in the volunteer forces, and was appointed captain in 1900. In 1901 he accompanied'the New Zealand contingent, in the rank of captain, at the celebration in connection with the federation of the Australian States. Holding the rank of second in command of the battalion, Mr. Fisher went to South Africa with the Tenth Contingent. He first entered^-Parliament in 1905. He has also been a member of the Wellington City Council, having been elected to that body in 1907. Mr. Fisher is one of the best platform speakers in New Zealand. MR. H. D. BELL. Mr. H. D. Bell is the son of a man whose name is well and honorably, known in connection with New Zealand history—Sir Francis Dillon Bell, who was a figure in New Zealand politics, and was for several years Agent-General for New Zealand in London. Mr. H. D. Bell is «, New Zealander, having been born in Nelson in 1851. He has had a distinguished career from the time when (in 1564-G8) lie was dux of the Dunedin Boys' High School. Subsequently, he studied at Cambridge, where he took his B.A. degree in 1872. He is a barrister of the Middle Temple and a K.C. He sat in the House of Representatives as member for Wellington City for three years, ami the old Parliamentary hands still talk of the celerity and lucidity with which he was wont to draft an amendment of an involved clause in Bills that were, being put through their committee stage. - His influence, upon the Acts of those years uiust have been considerable, and his valuable services were recognised and acknowledged by friend and foe alike. Mr. Bell is a leading authority on native land legislation, and his knowledge in this respect will also bo a valuable asset to the Cabinet and to the country.

DR. MAUI POMARE. Dr. Pomare is the only native representative on the side of the Reform Party, but even if there were others he would no doubt be selected for the position. Dr. Pomarp has a striking personality, and is a fine speaker. Having been native, medical officer in the Health Department, he has an intimate knowledge of the Maori settlements and their inhabitants throughout New Zealand. Dr. Pomare was born at Pahou, Taranaki,. on January 13, 1870, and was educated at. the Boys' High School, Christchurcji, and at Te Aute College, Hawlce's Bay. 'He is an M.D. of Chicago. U.S.A., and was appointed Government Health Officer to the Maoris in 1001. He continued to hold that office until it was retrenched out.-.of existence eight veal's later, Dr. Pomare ; resides at Lower Hutt.