P.M. Prepared For Cabinet Changes

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30057, 15 February 1963, Page 8

P.M. Prepared For Cabinet Changes

I t rain Out Parliamentary Reporter)

WELLINGTON, Feb. 14.

Plans laid earlier by the Prime Minister (Mr Holyoake) tor the reconstruction

of his Cabinet were advanced today in discussions with individual Ministers at the end of a two-day Government caucus.

It is now most likely that Mr P. B. Allen, the member for the Bay of Plenty, will relieve Mr T. P. Shand (Marlborough) as Minister of Labour, leaving Mr Shand free to take over the electricity and even the works portfolios. Some of the major tasks of Cabinet members are expected to be reallocated within a month.

The main reason for the reallocation is understood to be the decision made by the Minister of Works and Electricity (Mr Goosman) to retire from politics at the end of this year’s Parliamentary session. The opportunity is being taken, it is believed, to move Mr Shand into a position from which he can easily become Minister of Fuel and Power.

Mr Allen was offered the

portfolio of Labour in 1960. but had to decline because of ill-health at the time. Today, there appears to be no such obstacle in the way of his acceptance. The portfolio of external affairs is likely to figure in the reallocation. One solution would be to give this portfolio to Mr Marshall, which would enable him to combine it closely with his present portfolio of overseas trade. It would also free the Prime Minister from overseas commitments, as

was done by Six Sidney Holland.

In that case, however, industries and commerce would have io be passed to someone else. Mir Kinsella, whose only effective portfolio now is that of Postmaster-Gen-eral, could well take this on. As Minister without Portfolio. Mr D. C. Seath is also available.