THE NEW CABINET. NO OFFICIAL ANNOUNCEMENT.

Evening Post, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 73, 26 March 1912, Page 8

THE NEW CABINET. NO OFFICIAL ANNOUNCEMENT.

-It was generally, understood that the Resignation of Sir Joseph Ward and the appoint melit of the new Cabinet with tfie Hon." T. Mackenzie as its head vjould be announced this afternoon. Up t» the time of going to press, however, tie only new development is that Sir Joseph Ward had a long interview with His Excellency the Governor this morning, but, in view of the fact that no official announcement has been made, it is/ regarded as unlikely that his resignation has yet been handed in. 'Enquiries made in the best informed quarters bear out the idea which has fiftnly taken root already that the new Ministry ..will include Mr. A. M. M^ers (Auckland), Mr. W. D. Si Mac Donald (Bay of Plenty), Mr. G. Laurenson (Ljltelton), and Jfr. J. A. Hanan (Invercargill). It is not considered likely that the fion JT^ A.- Mifiar will accept office, although di/ is recognised that he would have been jwiell suited with the portfolio of Finance, and, on the other hand, there ie a,growing feeling that the Hon R M'Kenzie ytdl "be "offered " and accept a seat as of Public Works and Mines *That leaves two seats in the Cabinet to I>e filled, .and the trouble of filling them arises out of the number of claimants Shailing from Canterbury There are 4our of'these—^Messrs Havey, Witty, Ell, aid Ruesell-r-all old and faithful supporters of the Liberal administration In addition, Mr. Davey has in the past been seriously,- disappointed at not having been to the position of Chairanan - of- Committees^ and Mr Ell, as at Government Whip, considers that jpreced,ent has given him a claim that 'cannot- -be denied. It is also suggested that, failing the. inclusion of the Hon. J. A. Millar, Dunedin is urging *he appointment of Mr. T. K. Sidey. Whether that is so cr not, it is an "undoubted fact that the new Leader is faced with a sea of trouble in endeavouring to pacify the rivaj claimants from Canterbury, and rumour even goes the length of saying that the formation of tho new Cabinet may be delayed for some hours. I - As to the Legislative Council, it waa at one time regarded as almost certain^ that the Hon. J. M'Gowan, who is an ek-Minister, would be asked to accept ihe position of leader, with a seat or. | 'the Executive, but latterly the idea haa ■sot abroad that Mr. R. M'Nab, formerly for Agriculture, would be offered the dual position of leader and Attorney-General, also with a seat ol j ihe Execntive. I ;.The y Hon._ A. T. Njiata^will probablj ! lie asked to continue in hi* old position of member of the Executive representing the Maori race, and it is possible that Mrr-V.- H. Reed (Bay of Islands) will be offered a seat in the Executive with- \ ottfc 'portfolio. A similar position may i be offered to one of the Canterbury claimants as a way out of the difficulty.