CHANGES IN CABINET

Press, Volume XCIII, Issue 27909, 5 March 1956, Page 10

CHANGES IN CABINET

Task For Mr Holland This Week MR EYRE MAY TAKE DEFENCE (From Our Own Reporter) - WELLINGTON, March 4. There will be little chance for rest when the Prime Minister (Mr Holland) returns to New Zealand on Wednesday morning after his 10 day visit to Australia. The most pressing problem on his desk will be the imminent reshuffle of the Cabinet precipitated by the Minister of Industries and Commerce, Mr Eyre, handing in his portfolios. Just before he left Wellington Mr Holland said he would make an early announcement, when he returned and it can be confidently expected that Mr Eyre will be given the Defence portfolio as his main job.

After his talks with the Australian Prime Minister, Mr Menzies, Mr Holland will have up-to-date knowledge of how the Australian Government views South Pacific defence and Mr Eyre will take over his new job backed with that information. A major result of the Cabinet reshuffle will probably be an extensive streamlining of New Zealand’s defence policy, and Mr Eyre will have the job of putting it into operation.

The Cabinet is divided on the wisdom of continuing the present compulsory military training scheme under which 18-year-olds go into camp for 10 weeks and in the next three years attend 20 parades annually. Many Ministers favour an entirely different approach to the defence plan, particularly as the Defence Vote is expected to rise from £30,000,000 this year to £40,000,000 in round figures. Mr Holand’s Support

The main support for this view comes from Mr Holland, but he is stoutly opposed by the present Minister of Defence, Mr Macdonald, who has watched over the scheme for the last six years. The matter is by no means final and the Cabinet will take some time before authorising Mr Eyre to make any definite move to end the present training scheme. Those who are in favour of the proposal say that already a full division has been trained under the scheme, including some 20-year-olds, and that rather than continue to train young men along the same lines it would. be far better to turn the expenditure on .defence to more effective use.

Some of the equipment used by the services is woefully old and a streamlined defence policy would allow many millions of pounds to be spent on new. modern aircraft, tanks, and general equipment. Specially selected Regular Force officers and senior n.c.o.’s could be sent overseas to learn the latest methods of warfare, to return to New Zealand and instruct others in the three services, including territorials. The present C.M.T. scheme will be tapered off. If Mr Eyre does succeed Mr Macdonald in the Defence portfolio he will be more fortunate than the majority of Ministers in Cabinet who are often accused of forgetting about their own electorate once they reach Cabinet rank. Mr Eyre’s electorate of North Shore has a distinct Navy atmosphere, with the Devonport Naval Base stretching for some distance along the shore and employing many local residents. This area will be very closely tied up with the Defence portfolio. In addition he will be comparatively near the important Air Force establishments at Hobsonville and Whenuapai. Narrowneck Military Camp also comes within his scope as well as the naval dockyard and various other defence installations along the coast. Reshuffle of Ministers

The reshuffle which Mr Holland has in mind will probably not be a very extensive one, but will be kept down to only four, possibly five, Ministers. Almost certainly Mr Eyre will take Defence, leaving Mr Macdonald only with External Affairs. For the position of Minister of Industries and Commerce there are only two contenders —the Minister of Tourist and Publicity. Mr Halstead, and the Postmaster-Gen-eral, Mr Shand.

During the early Cabinet discussions concerning Mr Eyre’s problem it was suggested that perhaps the Minister of Health. Mr Hanan, might win the Industries and Commerce post, but this can now definitely be discounted. It is possible, however, that he would take over the Social Security portfolio from Mr Halstead if that Minister was appointed to Industries and Commerce. Mr Shand is still a likely candidate.

Mr Eyre will not lose any status by his action in handing his portfolios to the Prime Minister, and will not. in naval terms, be ‘‘left on the beach.” If the defence plan is reorganised and streamlined he will have the job of implementing a major Cabinet decision, involving millions of pounds, and affecting everyone in the community.