NEW MINISTER.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 85, 11 April 1933, Page 8

NEW MINISTER.

LAST-MINUTE RUSH.

SUDDEN CALL TO CAPITAL

RESHUFFLE OF PORTFOLIOS,

(By Telegraph.—Special to "Star.")

WELLINGTON, this day,

■ After, taking nearly three months to decide the most suitable member to fill.the Cabinet vacancy caused by Mr. Stewart's resignation, the joint heads of the Government .finally acted with considerable dispatch and put prophets into an embarrassing position, as Mr. J. Bitchener, the member for Waitaki, was only written of as "just possible."

In a chat with your correspondent soon after being sworn in at the Executive Council meeting, the new Minister of Public Works frankly admitted that he had been rather rushed off his feet in the whole process. He had been attending a local body meeting on Saturday afternoon when a telegram arrived requesting his attendance in Wellington, and it meant a hurried departure that night, with no adequate preparations, and also the putting off of public appointments.

Apparently Mr. Bitcliener was quite surprised that after all the discussion over other aspirants he had been called to the position, for he cheerfully remarked that at any rate he had not been worrying for months whether or not the honour would come his way. It actually arrives at a most opportune moment, as Mr. Bitcliener, after a long life as a farmer concerned in arable cultivation, has disposed of his land and gives possession of his farm to the new owner on May 1. He will live in

Wainiate. He accompanies Mr. Coates on a vis.it to tlie Wairarapa to inspect river protection works on Tuesday, this being his first official duty, and then he proposes to return home for Easter and to complete the personal arrangements necessitated by liis sudden accession to office. Having been for 25 years a member of the Waimate County Council and five years its chairman, Mr. Bitcliener is particularly well informed on local body administration, and lie is proud of the sound position of his own county, which this year boasts the creditable record of obtaining certificate No. 1 for its balance-sheet from the Auditor-General. The accounts closed on March 31 and the auditor's certificate was given on April 4.

A further reshuffling of Ministerial portfolios is likely to take place, though not immediately. It is expected that Mr. Coates will ultimately transfer the Transport Department to a colleague, while it _ is unlikely that Mr. Forbes will continue long as Attorney-General. Meanwhile, Mr. Bitchener's sole portfolio will be that of Public Works.