CABINET MATTERS.

Taranaki Daily News, 17 February 1921, Page 5

CABINET MATTERS.

THE DISTRIBUTION OF PORTFOLIOS. MR. MASSEY’S ARRANGEMENT. The Prime Minister made some statements regarding the personnel of the Ministry and the distribution of portfolios at Dunedin on Monday. Questioned about reconstruction of the Cabinet rendered necessary by his approaching departure for the Imperial Conference and Sir William Herries’ resignation, Mr. Massey said he expected to be absent about five months, and as . all Departments must be carried on he would have to ask his colleagues to do extra work. Sir William Herries might come into the Cabinet again on his return. It depended on his health and his inclinations. Personally he thought it likely that Sir William Herries would again accept office. In the meantime members of Cabinet and the gentleman who would come in had a perfect understanding of the position. When asked whether Mr. Downie Stewart was the gentleman who would be asked to join the Cabinet, Mr. Massey replied, “You must not ask me that question just now. I cannot make a public announcement until I- have placed the matter before Cabinet.” Continuing, Mr. Massey stated that the portfolio of Labor, which had just been relinquished by Sir William Herries, would be transferred to the Hon. G. J. Anderson. “I do not think we could get a better mar. for the position,” he said. “He is chairman of the Labor Bills Committee, and has always taken a keeq interest in industrial matters and labor legislation generally, and I think the Labor people have confidence in him.

"Another portfolio, which is difficult to arrange satisfactorily is that of Native Affairs. It is not one about which very much is heard, but whoever takes it over must have the confidence of Native members. I think I can arrange this portfolio to the satisfaction of the Native members, and I think I have arrived at a solution which will be satisfactory to everyone. "The portfolio of Customs is not a difficult one in the ordinary way, and there is not a great deal of work attached to it. However, at the present time I am looking forward to a revision of the tariff, and I propose to undertake the revision myself so far as the House is concerned, but the actual portfolio will be taken over by another Minister in the meantime.

"As regards my own portfolios, Sir Francis Bell will take over Finance. In order to do this Sir Francis generously decided to forgo his proposed trip to the Old Country, for which all arrangements had been made. My other portfolios of Railways and Mines have not yet been allotted.”