THE NEW MINISTRY.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 3086, 7 January 1909, Page 5

THE NEW MINISTRY.

IMPORTANT CHANGES.

MR M'GOWAN RETIRES,

MR A. W. HOGG INCLUDED,

SIR J. G. WARD MINISTER FOR LANDS.

The appointments to fill the vacancies in the Cabinet were made known yesterday by the Premier °(Sir J. G. Ward). Briefly, the Hon. J. M'Gowan, who has been in the Ministry for several years, has retired, has resiged his seat as member for Thames (which he secured as the result of a fairlyshard fight a few weeks ago), and has been appointed to a seat on the Legislative Council. The new members of the Ministry are— A. W. Hogg (Masterton). R. M'Kenzie (Motueka). D. Buddo (Kaiapoi). T. Mackenzie (Waikouaiti). A. T. Ngata (Eastern Maori). The two latter are, practically, members of the Executive, without Ministerial pay.

The redistribution of portfolios is as follows: Right Hon. Sir J. G. Ward, Prime Minister, Minister of Finance, Postmaster-General, Minister of Defence, Minister of Lands and Agriculture (having given up Friendly Societies, Advances tj Settlers, Old-age Pension, and Public Trust, Land and Income Tax Department, and Advertising Department^. Hon. J. Carroll, Native Minister, Minister for Stamps and Deeds, Cook islands, and Minister in charge of Advances to Settlers Department. Hon. J. A. Millar, Minister for Railways, Minister for Marine, Minister in charge off Friendly Societies, and Minister in charge of Machinery Department. Hon. G. Fowlds, Minister for Education, Minister for Immigration, Minister in charge of Mental Hospitals and Fire Insurance Department. Hon. Dr Fiudlay, Attorney-General, Minist3r for Justice, and Minister in charge of Crown Law Department. Hon. R. M'Kenzie, Minister for Public Works and Minister for Mines. Hon. A. W. Hogg, Minister fcr Labour, Minister for Customs, Minister for Roads and Bridges, and Minister in charge of Government Printing Office. Hon. D. Buddo, Minister for Internal Affairs, Minister for Public Health, Minister in charge of Valuation Department, Minister in charge of Old-age Pensions. Hon. T. MacKenzie, Minister for Industries and Commerce (without pay), Minister in charge of Tourist Department, Scenery Department, and Forestry Depars lent. Hon. A. T. Ngata, member of Executive representing the native race, Minister in charge of Public i iu-it Office, Government Insurance, and Government Accident Insurance, and Maori Councils.

STATEMENT BY THE PREMIER. By Telegraph—Press Association. WELLINGTON, January 6. The Premier has made the following statement as to the new Ministry:—"l think that upon the whole the Ministry will be regarded as a representative one, and a strong combination. Naturally I should have liked to have been able to include some of other recognised able members of the Party, but there is the limitation of members. I recognised all along that the position was a very difficult one, and I have endeavoured to do the best possible both in the interests of the country and of the important Party of which lam head. It will be seen upon close analysis of the portfolios held by various members of the administration that an effort has been made to appoint to the various positions men most capable of filling them. "I came to the conclusion shortly atfer the election that it would be necessary for me to hold the portfolios of Lands and Agriculture. I have gone upon the principle that where the most trouble exists the head of the administration should be prepared to accept whatever onerous duties attach to these positions, and lam hopeful that I will be able to carry out what I fully recognise to be a difficult task in the best interests of the country. "Mr Carroll's assumption of the Administration of Cook Islands is one, the general fitness of which, I tbink, will be recognised. He has a wide knowledge .of the duties required, and moreover is very familiar with the Native question that will crop up in connection with the Administration of the Islands, and I look for good results from him in this respect. "As Minister for Railways Mr Millar, who is a strong man, will, I am sure, show ability that has characterised his administration of the portfolios he has held since he has been in the Government. I am also coniident that he will administer the Marine and his other Department with an equal deuree of success.

"The Hon. G, Fowlds has done good work as Minister for Education, and he has now been given charge of the important Department of Immigration and retains the portfolio of Hospitals and Mental Hospitals, and gives up the portfolio of Public Health. He will take charge of the Fire Insurance Department, and I am confident that the administration of that and of the other new departments which have been entrusted to him, he will display the same care and attention which have characterised _his administration in the past.

"It is in accordance with the fitness of things ,that the Justice Department and the position of Attor-ney-General shoul J be combined, and the Hon. Dr. Findlay has now the whole of thH legal departments under his administration. It will be recognised that they are in most capable

hands. In the interests of the country it is better, also, I think, that the two branches dealing with law and justice should be under one control

"In Mr R McKenzie the country has a strong man of large experience in public works and mining matters, and 1 look forward with confidence to see these two great departments under his practical administration being managed for the general benefit of the community.

"Mr Hogg, who is a very old member of the Party, takes up the responsible duties as head of the Labour Department, and the important department of Customs, together with the extensive work of the Roads and Bridges Department. He is a man of wide experience, and has a great deal of practical common sense, and I am certain that he will carry out the duties attaching to what are, in some respects, verydifficult departments, m the best interests of the people. His knowledge of the printing business is such as to fully justify the printing office being placed under his control.

Mr Buddo is a practical farmer of wide experience, and 1 feel sure that he will be able to successfully administer the Departments of Internal Affairs and Public Health to the advantage of the country. "Mr T. Mackenzie, who assumes control of the Departments of In dustries and Commerce, Scenery and forestry, is a man of wide experience. He is a strong man, and I look for good results in those departments under his administration. "The inclusion of Mr Ngata as a Member of the Executive, representing the Maori Race, should give wide satisfaction. He is not only a highly educated man, but one whose instincts lead hinr along the right road. Having the Maori Councils under his jurisdiction will ensure great activity and vigour being applied in that branch of the work of the country. His training as a lawyer will help him greatly in carrying on the important work of the Public Trust Office. It deals not only with Europeans, but with many diverse interests closely connected with the Natives. ;

"Naturally the greatest regret I have in connection with the reconstruction of the Ministry is the severance of ray old iriend and colleague, the Hon. J. McGowan. Ever since he has been associated with the Government he has been a man who has earned the personal regard of all who have known him, but changing conditions cali for an alteration which on personal grounds are greatly regretteJ. Mr McGowan's elevation to the Upper House is a well-earned distinction at which no one will be able to cavil. It is unnecessary for me to say that he parts from myself and his colleagues on the most friendly terms. There has been no unpleasantness of any sort or kind."