THE CABINET

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 120, 21 May 1926, Page 8

THE CABINET

SIR FRANCIS BELL'S POSITION

STILL MEMBER OF GOVERNMENT

REAPPOINTED TO UPPER HOUSE,

The term of office of the Right Hon. Sir Francis Bell as a member of the Legislative Council expired to-day, butthis morning the Deputy-Governor-Gen-eral (the Hon. C. P. Skerrett) signed a warrant reappointing Sir Francis to the Council for a further term of seven years. The Prime Minister '(the Right Hon. J.-, G. Coates) informed a ''Post" reporter that Sir Franci- Bell retains his seat on the Executive Council, also his membership of Cabinet. As a member of the-Government, Sir Francis would represent New Zealand at tho Assembly of the League of Nations at Geneva in September next. With the ■ near approach of the session interest -' in political i matters ;is growing keener. Apart from, the question of Cabinet appointments, attention is being focussed on the Speakership of the House of ' Representatives. When Parliament meets on 18th June, the election of a aew Speaker will be the first duty the members of the Lower House will, have to perform. In addition to that of Mr. Statham, the Speaker in the last Parliament, the name of the Hon. E. P. Lee, a former Minister in the Massey Administration, is mentioned in connection with the Speakership. Other -members of i the Reform Party are also spoken of as possible nominees, but in Mr.Lee's favour it is pointed out that, like Mr. Statham. he is a lawyer, and well acquainted with the forms of the House. It will also be necessary for the House to find a new Chhirman of Committees,, which position in the last Parliament was held by Mr. J. A. Young, Who is now a Minister of the Crown. Mr. F. F. Hockly (Rotorua), Sir George Hunter (Waipawa), and Sir John Luke have at times each acted as Chairman of Committees when Mr. Young has been absent, or when, during long sittings, it has been necessary to give him some relief. In addition to Ministerial offices, it will be necessary for the Prime Minis-! ter to find a new Leader of the Legis- j lative Council in succession to Sir Franeig Bell. The name of the new leader may be expected when the Cabinet appointments are announced. ' -Speaking at a social function in the North this week, the Hon. O. J. Hawken expressed the hope that the Government would have the oportunity of proving that they were a Government desirous of serving all classes of the community and not one class only, and thus push the country ahead. The de- I mand was for leaders of vigour and action * like Atkinson, Seddon, and Massey, and he believed Mr. Coates was a worthy successor. He urged the close co-operation of town and country, and said the Government would try to take an unbiased view and Work in the interests of all. He hoped they would be able to pull together, for otherwise the country would not make that progress which might reasonably be expected. Primary production and the farmers must be helped,! and he was likewise prepared to support duties for the protection of local industries that needed assistance. Mr. Coates was keen on getting on with the work, and he hoped he would have a chance of giving effect to his ideas. By earnestness, I sticking to the. job, and examination, I the Government was earnestly trying to advance the intests of the country.