Cabinet problems

Press, 2 December 1978, Page 1

Cabinet problems

In the partial vacuum of power until the voting in last Saturday’s General Election is confirmed, the planning of a, new Cabinet has met some unusual difficulties, reports Cedric Mentiplay. The Prime Minister (Mr Muldoon) faces the direct need to replace six of his 19 Ministers, while at the same time strengthening the whole Cabinet structure. The new group must be forward-looking, as well as capable of giving him the utmost possible support in the three hard political years to 1981.

It seems likely that the present Minister of Agriculture (.Mr Maclntyre) will continue to monitor the labour portfolio, while the Minister of Fisheries (Mr

Bolger), will help out with agriculture. The posts of AttorneyGeneral, Minister. of Customs. and PostmasterGeneral are likely to be taken up by Mr J. K. McLay (Birkenhead). The difficulty about fixing other Cabinet posts is that some of the logical candidates (Mr B. E. Brill, Kapiti, is one) are on Saturday’s , narrowly-defeated list, or hold their seats by .majorities lower than 1000 votes. Sixteen National members are, in the lowmargin category. The two Parliamentary under-secretaries (Messrs K. R. Allen and K. M. Comber) now seem, safe for Cabinet preferment, though Mr Comber’s election--night majority in Wellington Central Was only 870.

Others with good prospects must include Messrs W, F. Birch, J. H. Falloon. D. F. Quigley and R. L. G. Talbot.

What happens depends entirely on Mr Muldoon’s view of. the future, and of measures to meet it. Retirements and the polls have moved on some of the older members, but Mr Muldoon may look for a Cabinet which will still be “fit and full of running” in 1981.

The Deputt Prime Minister (Mr Taiboys) has already said that he will step down in 1981. Messrs Gill. McLachlan and Holland could each be the subject. of consideration, either for a move to less vulnerable portfolios or for reversion to private-member status.