PORTFOLIO CHANGES

Evening Post, Volume CX, Issue 48, 25 August 1930, Page 10

PORTFOLIO CHANGES

MR. FORBES'S DEPARTURE

HON. E. A. RANSOM AS

LEADER

Changes in the allocation of Ministerial portfolios consequent on the departure of the Prime Minister for the Imperial Conference were announced by Mr. Forbes last night.

The Minister of Lands (the Hon. E. A. Ransom) will act as Prime Minister until Mr. Forbes's return. He will also take over the portfolios of Finance and External Affairs, and control of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research. The Hon. J. G. Cobbe, who now holds the Defence portfolio, will temporarily act as Minister of Customs. Sir Apirana Ngata, Minister of Native Affairs, will take over from Sir Thomas Sidey the portfolio of Attor-ney-General. MESSAGE OP FAREWELL. "On the eve of my departure for tho Old Land," said Mr. Forbes, in a message of farewell, "I think it is recognised by overyone that it is very necessary for New Zealand to be represented at this most important gathering, at which will be discussed many questions vitally affecting the interests of all the people of the Empire. Firstly, I feel I can voice as New Zealand's representative the Dominion's devotion, and loyalty toward the King, and also its desire to co-operate in overy way, particularly in regard to trade relations with Great Britain which will be mutually beneficial. "New Zealand has shown in a practical way its desire for co-operation by granting a very substantial preferential Customs tariff, by which the manufacturers of the Old Country have been materially assisted. We realise that the more business they are enabled to do the better position they will be in to purchase our products. We do not insist upon anything in return, although we would appreciate some consideration being extended to us to a greater extent than has been the case in the past. In this respect I refer particularly to our position in relation to that of foreign countries. DETERMINED TO FACE DIFFICULTIES. "It is my hope that as a result of the discussions at the conference something along the lines I have indicated will be realised. While I am Home I will do nothing likely to cause any embarrassment in Empire matters in general and trade matters in particular, and I know that is the wish of the people of New Zealand. "In leaving New Zealand I regret tho position of the country is not as satisfactory as one might wish. However, I am quite convinced that right throughout tho whole country there is a determination to face tho difficulties with which we are faced, and I am quite sure that this attitude, which one cannot help but admire, will result in i an early return to that condition of prosperity which it has been our fortune to enjoy for several years past." Mr. Forbes added that he was leaving New Zealand secure in the knowledge that the affairs of the country would be safe in the hands of his colleagues in the Cabinet. He had every confidence in the Ministers who would conduct the. Dominion's business, and he felt sure that at their hands the affairs | of State would receive careful attention. Mr. Forbes will be accompanied to England by Mrs. Forbes, and they will leave Wellington by the Limited express this evening, en route to Auckland, to join the Aorangi, which will sail for Vancouver to-morrow. Mr. F. D. Thomson, permanent head of the Primo Minister's Department, Mr. C. A. Berendsen, Imperial Affairs officer, Mr. C. A. Jeffery, private secretary to the Prime Minister, and Dr. G. Craig, Comptroller of Customs, ■will also leave Wellington this evening.