No changes in Cabinet

Press, Volume CXIII, Issue 33370, 31 October 1973, Page 3

No changes in Cabinet

Z. Press Association) WELLINGTON, October 30. The Prime Minister (Mr Kirk) said today there would be no immediate changes in Cabinet portfolios. He had been asked at a press conference if he was considering making changes after recent speculation that some Ministers had too great a work-load. Some oi the judgments about certain Ministers had not taken into account some of the jobs those Ministers were faced with, Mr Kirk said. Collectively the Ministers were doing well, although some had a heavy work-load. The labour portfolio was very demanding, and the Minister of Labour (Mr Watt) might perhaps consider shedding

the works and development portfolio, Mr Kirk said. “Yet with the Industrial Commission the labour portfolio might settle down,” Mr Kirk said. Mr Wati had made his mark in the labour portfolio, and “1 wouldn’t want to change him out of that.” He was “not planning wholesale changes or anything like that,” Mr Kirk said. Asked if he would consider appointing more Under-Secretaries to help Ministers, the Prime Minister said there were already three. He added that the first year could be rough for any new Government. How’ever, by the end of that year a Minister had built up a basis of experience. and found it easier to cope.