CABINET MATTERS

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 122, 16 February 1921, Page 6

CABINET MATTERS

THE DISTRIBUTION OF PORTFOLIOS MR. MASSEY’S ARRANGEMENTS The Prime Minister made seme statements ' regarding the personnel of .the Ministry and the distribution of p<Ktfolios at Dunedin on Monday. Qiiesticmed about reconstruction of the Cabinet rendered necessary by his approaching departure for the Imperial Conference and Sir William Ilerries’s resignation, Mr. Massey said he expected to he absent about five months, and as all l^ c P art> ments must be carried on lie would hay# to ask 'his colleagues to do extra work. Sir William Merries might come into the Cabinet again on his return. It depended on his health and his inclinations. Personally he thought it likely that Sir William Herries would again accept office. In the meantime members ot Cabinet and the gentleman who would come in had a perfect understanding of the position. „ . _ When asked whether Mr. Dowme Stewart was the gentleman who would be asked to join the Cabinet, Mr. replied, "You must not ask mey that question just now. I cannot make a public announcement until I have placed the matter before Cabinet.” Continuing, Mr. Massey stated, that the portfolio of Labour, which had just been relinquished by Sir Williain Herries, would 'be transferred to the Hon. J. Anderson. do not think we could get a better man for the position,’ he said. "He is chairman, of the Labour Bills Committee, and has always taken a keen interest in industrial matters and labour legislation generally, andl think the Labour people have confidence in portfolio which is difficult to arrange satisfactorily is that of Native Affairs. It is not one about which very much is heard, but whoever takes it over must have the confidence of Native members. I think I can arrange this portfolio to the satisfaction of the Native members, and. I think I have arrived at a solution which will be satisfactory to everyone. , . , "The portfolio of Customs is not « difficult one in the ordinary way and there i.« Dot a great deal of work attached to it. However, at the present time I am looking forward to a revision of t'he tariff,, and I propose to undertake the revision myself so far as the House • is concerned, but the actual portfolio will be taken'over by another Minister in the meanitoie. "As regards my own portfolios, Sir Francis Bell will take over Finance. In order to do this Sir Francis generously decided to forgo his proposed trip to the Old Country, for which all arrangements had been made. My other portfolios of Railways and Mines hare not yet been allotted.”