POLITICAL CABINET MAKING.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIX, Issue 246, 14 October 1908, Page 4

POLITICAL CABINET MAKING.

_ (By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.. WELLINGTON, this day. Political Cabinet_naking is flourishing I at the present time, and the constructors i refuse to possess their soul in patience I until the cjjunter mandate issues forth j next month. Some of the tipsters, in j their selection of occupants for the chair i about to be vacated by the Hon. Hallj Jones, base their calculations on geogra- : phical lines. They look rather at the j map than at the merits of candidte tes. The Islands must be balanced, they say, I and the provinces must have their due. ' Mr. Hall-Jones is a Canterbury member; ! therefore his successor must come from I Canterbury or Westland. Hence the ] names of the Hon. A. R. Guinness, Mr. T. H. Davey and Mr. G. Laurenson arc mentioned. Other pickers take more into account the personal element. Thfey declare that a Prime Minister who desires a harmonious Cabinet has to look, not so much at geography, as at the temperament of the candidate. Shrewd folk say that Sir Joseph Ward will be more inclined to make a choice to strengthen his position than to please a particular island or province. Names therefore are not lacking. Foxton is pressing on the claims of Mr. A. W. Hogg, and Mr. R. McKenzie (Chairman of Committees), who was greaily chagrined at being passed over when Sir Joseph formed his Ministry, is not without a strong backing. A leading authority on Parliamentary matters hazarded the statement to-day that Mr. Laurenson would have been a moral but for his kicking over the traces a few sessions ago. That step had prejudiced his chance. It will not follow, of course, that the new Minister, whoever lie is, will hold the portfolios of Railways and Public works. There may be a slight rearrangement; in fact I am assured, on excellent authority that there will be something more than a slight rearrangement. CHRISTCHURCH, this day. The filling of the vacancy that exists in the Cabinet consequent upon the appointment of the Hon. W. Hall-Jones as High Commissioner is causing considerable discussion in this city. Amongst those most frequently mentioned as being likely to jbe offered Cabinet rank are Messrs. G. Laurensoa and T. H. Davey.