STEVENS CABINET

Dominion, Volume 25, Issue 222, 15 June 1932, Page 9

STEVENS CABINET

Vote of Confidence ByElectors HISTORY IN BRIEF Members of the Stevens-Bruxner Cabinet, all of whom received a vote of confidence by being re-elected on Saturday, are well-known in New South Wales. There are six United Australia Party members and four Country Party members. Briefly their history is: Sir. B. S. B. Stevens (Premier and Treasurer) : Although he has been a member of the Assembly only for five years, he has had a brilliant Parliamentary career. Returned by the Croydon constituency in 1927, he was chosen as Treasurer in the Cabinet formed by Mr. Bavin, and ever since has been in the forefront of public affairs. His previous experience in the public service as Director of Finance enabled him to bring to the Treasurership unique knowledge and a grasp of detail that immediately stamped him as an authority on finance and administration. Mr. Stevens has been in the Public Service since 1912. Mr. M. F. Bruxner (Deputy-Premier, and Minister for Transport and Local Government) : First returned to the Assembly for the Northern Tablelands in 1920. On the accession of the Bavin Government to power in 1927 he was given the portfolio of Local Government. Mr. Bruxner was leader of the Country Party in the Fuller Government. He has a distinguished war career behind him, having fought at Gallipoli, Palestine, and Syria. In 1916 he was awarded the Croix de Chevalier of the Legion of Honour, and in 1918 the D.S.O. Sir. Frank Augustus Chaffey (Chief Secretary and Minister for Mines) is member for Tamworth, and was first elected in 1913. He first took Cabinet rank as Minister for Agriculture in the famous One-day Cabinet, headed by Sir George Fuller, in 1921. In 1922 was Assistant Minister for Lands and Agriculture, and later Minister for Agriculture. in the Fuller Government from April, 1922, until June, 1925. In 1927 he was Minister for Mines and Forests in the Bavin Government, and succeeded to the Chief Secretaryship on the death of Mr. Albert Bruntnell. He was born at Moonbi, near Tamworth, and is the youngest of a family of eleven, and is a returned soldier and all-round sport. Holds the diploma of the Hawkesbury College. Mr. R. W. D. Weaver (Minister for Works and Health) has held the Neutral Bay seat since 1917, and was Minister for Mines in the Bavin Government of 1927. In this capacity he dealt with the Rothbury dispute, and after the outbreak of rioting arranged for the carrying on of the mine and the production of coal for railway purposes. A forceful and picturesque speaker and keen debater, his presence has always been felt in the House, whether on the Treasury benches or in Opposition. Mr. Weaver has travelled extensively, and has had wide country experience. Sir Daniel Levy (Attorney-General and Minister for Justice) has been in Parliament since July, 1901, as member for Fitzroy, and has represented the same district (now Paddington) continuously. He was Chairman of Committees from 1917 to 19.19, and has been Speaker from April, 1920. to December, 1921; from December, 1921, to June, 1925; and from November, 1927, to November, 1930. During his term as Speaker of the 28tb Parliament, in which the Bavin Government held office, he received his Knighthood of the British Empire. He is a member of the Sydney University Senate. a King’s Counsellor, and a Bachelor of Law and of Arts, and is recognised as an authority on Parliamentary procedure.

Mr. James M. Dunniiigharn, Minister for Labour and Industry, was first elected to Parliament in 1927 as member for Coogee. In 1930 was Opposition Whip when the Lang Government took office, and proved himself an indefatigable worker. Has been Mayor of Randwick, and for many years was an aiderman of Randwick Council. One of the most popular members of the Legislative Assembly. Bookmaker by > profession. Was formerly a mercer, and earlier still was secretary of the fitters’ branch of the Gas Employees’ Union.

Mr. E. A. Buttenshaw (Lands) was born in the Youug district in 1876. His first work in life was at the Young Post Office, leaving which, he went on the land, engaging in farming and grazing. In 1917 he contested Lachlan as a Progressive. against Mr. Tom Brown, and won. During the 1920-1922 Parliament he was appointed Whip and Secretary to the party, and after his return during the 1922 elections was appointed Deputy-Leader. In the Bavin Government, Mr. Buttenshaw was Deputy-Pre-mier and Minister for Works. An allround athlete, he has represented his district at cricket and tennis. Mr. I). 11. Drummond (Minister for Education) : This member filled the same portfolio in the Bavin Government in 1927. He was known as the “studious man” of the party. Country-born and country-bred, Mr. Drummond has travelled extensively, 'and has more than a passing knowledge of the public necessities of the State. His gentle manner hides an iron will, which was in evidence when last he held this portfolio. Mr. Hugh Main (Agriculture and forests) came into the political limelight in sensational manner by defeating the then Premier, Mr. W. A. Holman, at the State elections of 1920. Of a somewhat reserved disposition, he is respected in Parliament as a sound thinker and a country man of the best type. During the war he served in the ranks, returning in 1919. Among sporting men Mr. Main will be remembered as a breeder of thoroughbred horses, including an A.J.C. Derby winner, Salitros. Mr. James Ryan (Vice-President of the Executive Council and Leader of Government in tlie Upper House) was a member of the Bavin Government-from 1927 to 1930, as Honorary Minister, without portfolio, and a member of the Executive Council. During that time he conducted an extensive Parliamentary inquiry into the housing problem and made a report. First appointed to the Legislative Council by Hie Holman Nationalist Government in'l927. Former]v was. editor of the “Lithgow Mercury” rind one of the best-known journalists in the western districts of New South Wales. Two sons, Redmond and Frank, are doctors.