WHERE IS THE NEW MINISTER?

Press, Volume LVII, Issue 10777, 3 October 1900, Page 4

WHERE IS THE NEW MINISTER?

Early in August last the Premier told Parliament that it was essential, in the best interests of the colony, that the number of Ministers of the Crown should be increased. He pointed to the additions made of late years to tfoe number of public departments, and to the growth of the work generally in the different branches of the State service, and cleverly brought back to the memories of members cases of neglected correepondienee and personal interviews on matters affecting their constituencies. This neglect, he explained, was due to Ministers having too much to attend to. The result was that the House passed a measure included in which was the power to increase the number of Ministers by one. This was two months ago to-day, and yet the selection of the new Minister has not been announced. What can be the reason? Where was the need for the urgency mentioned by the Premier, when asking the House to pass the Bill. "I say now, at the present moment," impressively remarked Mr Seddon, "that if "you increase the number of Ministers, in "my opinion, it will save the colony " money. I say that advisedly, knowing "itto be the case." In the face of euch knowledge and the fact that he has been given authority to put into effect the change he thinks so desirable, it is amazing to find the appointment so long delayed. In choosing Mr. Duncan as the successor to Mr. M'Kenzie, in the office of Minister of Lands, the Government created a great deal of dissatisfaction among the members of the party, and the probabilities are that they fear a recurrence of that unpleasant situation. Mr. Mills, the senior Government Whip, is known to have an eager eye on the portfolio, but the North Island members are already grumbling at the number of Southerners in the Cabinet, and claim tSat their part oi the colony now deserves first consideration. It is surprising to find that the question of the appointment has not been raised in the House. Xo doubt, wieli so many Riolimonds in the £e!d, ihe matter is one of some delicacy to members on the Government side of the House. But the Opposition should have no such eeraples, and a gentle hint to the Premier that information on the subject would relieve the <Joubt and anxiety of his own followers, smd at tie same time satisfy- ti>» curiosity oi tho public, might liave the ttesired effect. The session is drawing to a close, and in the fcurry and confusion of the expiring hoars Mr. Seddon, tmless reminded, might forget to indicate ths favoured follower upon -3-io-.il .a: ;i'...;.:.; <._" 0.-c. is to {a3L