FORBES CABINET

Evening Post, Volume CIX, Issue 123, 27 May 1930, Page 10

FORBES CABINET

INCUBATION STAGE

SWEARING-IN TO-MORROW

X"o less closely than did the Right Hon. J. G. Coates when ho-constructed his Cabinet, the Hoji G. W. Forbes is preserving' the utmost secrecy as to the nature of the proposals he intends to submit to the Governor-General tomorrow for the allocation of portfolios in the new Ministry. It is said that Mr. Forbes has opened his mind to no one in the- matter, and it seems that the present Ministers are as much in the dark—and in suspense —as anyone.

"Things are still in the incubation stage," the" Prime Minister-elect remarked, to-day with an urbane smile when i ho was asked if he had, any announcement respecting Cabinet reconstruction. Meanwhile, many people at Parliament House continue to attempt to forecast the effect of the changes Mr. - Forbes will announce to-morrow after visiting His Excellency at Government House. . ■ SPECULATORS' THEORIES. The latest theory advanced—contradicting an opinion freely expressed iv the last few days—anticipates that Mr. Forbes will find it necessary to make a fairly considerable re-shuffle of portfolios to make a satisfactory working combination. It seems to be generally taken for granted that none of the present' Ministers will'bo dropped, and that one or possibly two new Ministers ■will bo appointed. That phase of the reconstruction does not give riso to much argument, but amateur Cabinetmakers find much greater field for speculation as to how tho most important portfolios are to be distributed. In some quarters the present Minister of Labour, Transport, Mines, Pensions, and electoral matters is favourably regarded as the- future Minister of Transport and Railways, while elsewhere Transport and Public Works are associated ■with his name. It does not seem to have been clearly established who may relieve Mr. Veiteh of Labour if these prognostications aro fulfilled. In that . connection, "it seems to be widely anticipated that the Hon. E. A. Ransom may tak'o/LabouT together with Lands or Agriculture. On tho other hand, the new Minister1 may take Public Works, leaving the way clear for Mr. Ransom, ■who is.admitted to be the best qualified farmer member of the Cabinet, to take over Agriculture1 and Lands from Mr. Forbes. It is hard to hazard a guess as to how the Defence portfolio may be re-allocated, if at all. If Mr. Forbes is experiencing as much difficulty as less potential Prime Ministers are*having in selecting his Ministry, ■ his chief task will be concerned with the placing of the Lands, Agriculture, • Transport, Railways, and Labour portfolios. Others arc not being much discussed. , MINISTERS ARRIVING. . Ministers of the Crown, who aro still carrying on in office pending the reconstruction of the Cabinet, are expected to be all assembled in Wellington tomorrow morning in readiness for the swearing in of the new team. The Gov-ernor-General will not arrive at Govern--ment' House until about 10 a.m. to-mor-row, and so far arrangements have not been .completed as to the .time wheii Mr. Forbes will wait on, him to submit iis Ministry and for the subsequent t'onr.r:l administering of oaths. AN ECONOMIC CAMPAIGN. It seems probablo that the. new Government will pursue" an economy policy during the present financial year, and that the Estimates to be presented to the House- of Representatives in the coming session will hot contain a great deal of- interest apart from providing the customary monetary requirements of" Departments of State and votes to which the Government is definitely committed. In" view of the expected economy campaign it is expected that Ministerial visits to different parts of the Dominion will be somewhat curtailed.- There has been no little comment at the expense involved in' Ministers travelling during the present recess, and it is understood that the vote for the year covering travelling expenses has been considerably exceeded, and so much larger than the expenditure) for the same purpose last financial year. Soon after Parliament meets, it has been' promised, an announcement will be made in respect to the representation of New Zealand at the Imperial Conference. It is suggested in some circles that Mr. Forbes, as Prime Minister, will be accompanied by the AttornpyGoneral (Sir Thomas Sidoy), but the counter-view is heard expressed that to confine the cost of the mission to England : the Prime.Minister may ro alone taking a. small secretarial staff.