"REFORM PARTY."

Taranaki Daily News, 4 February 1920, Page 7

"REFORM PARTY."

TO MEET ON FEBRUARY 14th. CABINET RECONSTRUCTION AND HIGH COMMISSIONERSHIP. Advantage ia to be taken of the presence in Wellington on February 14th of a, large number of members of Parliament, foregathered for the trip to Samoa and other Pacific Islands in the CJ.S.'S. Mokoia, to hold a meeting of Government supporters. It is expected that at this meeting, in addition to policy matters, the questior of Cabinet reconstruction will be discussed; though until Mr. J. B. Hine's petition in connection with the Stratford election has been deeide'd, it is regarded as improbable that the portfolios of Minister for Internal Affairs, etc . resigned by him, will 'be reallocated. Little doubt is now entertained that Sir James Allen is eventually to succeed Sir Thomas Mackenzie as High Commissioner. But the change is not likely to take place till after the first session of the new Parliament is over, 60 that the question of who is to take over the portfolios of Defence, Finance, and External Affairs now held by Sir James Allen, will be little more than academic for some months to come.

The portfolio of Public Works, however, will have to be reallocated before the session opens, as its present holder, Sir William Fraser, ha 9 ceased to be a member of the House of Representatives. It is understood, also, that, in deference to the protests made in the Representative Chamber last session, the portfolios of Education and Public Health, at present held by Sir Francis Bell, will be transferred to a member or to members, of the Lower House.—Wellington Times.