MR MCCOMBS’S PORTFOLIOS

Press, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 25321, 22 October 1947, Page 2

MR MCCOMBS’S PORTFOLIOS

EDUCATION AND RESEARCH NEW DUTIES FOR MR F. HACKETT (P.A.) WELLINGTON, October 21. Mr T. H. McCombs has been appointed Minister of Education and Minister in charge of Scientific and Industrial Research, portfolios in which he has always been interested. Mr McCombs, who graduated M.Sc. with honours, was a schoolmaster before his election to Parliament in 1935. Education has been administered by the Attorney-General (Mr H. G. R. Mason) for |he last seven years, and the Minister of Industries and Commerce (formerly Mr D. G. Sullivan and latterly Mr A. H. Nordmeyer) has been in charge of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research. The portfolios of Marine and Transport. which were held by Mr James O’Brien, have been allocated to Mr F. Hackett, who retains the portfolio of Postmaster-General. He also succeeds Mr O’Brien as Minister in charge of the Inspection of Machinery. Mr Mason remains Minister of Justice and Attorney-General, and takes over from Mr Hackett administration of the Public Trust Office, the State Fire and Accident Insurance Office, and the Government Life Insurance Office. Announcing these appointments, the Prime Minister (Mr P. Fraser) said the importance of the functions of the State Fire and Accident Office would be greatlv increased by the workers’ compensation legislation. Mr McCombs was sworn in to-day.