CABINET PERSONNEL

Evening Star, Issue 22203, 4 December 1935, Page 10

CABINET PERSONNEL

ALLOCATION OF PORTFOLIOS AUTHORITATIVE FORECAST TEN LABOUR STALWARTS MENTIONED ! [Special to the 1 Star.’] WELLINGTON, December 4. An official announcement of tho complete Labour Cabinet will not be made until to-morrow, but events have been moving fast at Parliament Buildings, and significant things have been happening which indicate tliat the process of Cabinet selection is well advanced. The Labour Party held a comparatively brief meeting in the Government Whip’s room last night, and it was fairly obvious afterwards that its main purpose had been to enable the Prime Minister-elect to take bis supporters into his confidence about bis proposed selections. There were personal congratulations and other signs which could not be hidden from lobbyists when the meeting broke up, and your correspondent is able with confidence to indicate the names of the leading members of the new Government and the allocation of some of the most important portfolios. Mr. M. J. Savage, Prime Minister and Native Affairs. Mr W, Nash, Finance. , Mr P. Fraser, Education. Mr R. Semple, Public Works. Mr' W. E. Parry, Internal Affairs.

Mr D. Sullivan, Industries'and Commerce. , Mr P. Webb, Mines. Mr W. Lee Martin, Agriculture (and possibly Lands).

■ It is also regarded as certain that Mr Jordan, the member for Manukau, and Mr Armstrong (Christchurch East) will bo included in the Ministry, and it is quite probable that two other appointments will be made.

Though the resignations of the Nationalist Ministers will be submitted to the Governor-General to-day,. they are not likely to be formally accepted on receipt, as an interesting Constitutional precaution is being' taken.' Tlie Ministers are. His - Excellency’s advisers, and there should be no moment when the ■ Governor-General is without advisers. Therefore, it is expected that immediately Mr Savage attends at Government House and presents the list of his proposed colleagues the resignations of Mr Forbes and Mr Coates and their colleagues will be accepted. Thus there will be no gap in the continuity of affairs. ; .

In addition to the Ministry, there are other important ' positions to be filled, notably the Speakership of the House of Representatives. For. this post the most likely occupant is Mr Barnard, of Napier, not only because of his legal experience, but because he has already demonstrated in the House his knowledge of procedure. He has, too, 1 a firm, though diplomatic, manner. •

The chairmanship of committees, which includes tlie Deputy Speakership, is likely to be allocated to Mr Howard (Christchurch South), whose local experience in chairmanship is extensive.

The Government also needs a Leader for the Legislative Council, and s he is to be found there already in, the Hon. Mark Fagan. Neither the Speakership nor the chairmanship of committees of .the Council are immediate problems, as' the term of Sir Walter Carncross as Speaker continues for' another two years, while the Hon. J. A. Hanan, the Chairman of Committees, has just been reappointed for three years. Of the remaining members of Cabinet if is difficult at the moment to indicate definitely- the choice, for suitable and likely candidates include Mr J. Thorn (national secretary of the party), whose organising work is highly regarded for its results; Mr Langstone (Waimarino) and Mr Webb (Duller); Mr O’Brien (Westland), with a long and distinctive service to the party while in opposition; Mr M‘Keen (Wellington South), who would mate a suitable Minister of Labour because of his extensive and practical experience in the working of labour- laws; Mr H. G. R. Mason,, a keen debater and one of the legal group in the party who is talked of as the most likely Attorney-General. If geographical considerations enter at all into the selection Mr Munro and Mr Jones, of Dunedin, carry strong claims, and one or the other may not be overlooked in the final choice, which will complete a Cabinet at least three stronger than the Nationalist combination.

It is considered certain that there is no intention at present to appoint Maori members 'to the' executive, though there are two Maori supporters in Parliament. This is due to the importance of proceeding with an active development of a policy which requires administrative experience, which the present Native members lack. The outstanding importance of the Native policy, in the viewpoint of the Government, is shown in the Prime Minister’s decision personally to take this responsibility.

Some oF the personal qualities of the hew Ministers are worth noting. Mr Nash was one lot* the early picks for finance, because his capacity is so readily recognised.. Mr Fraser’s keen and deep interest in education also made forecasting easy.

Regarding Mr Semple, he is an intensely practical man with a knowledge of the work of his new department—a' knowledge secured at the handle of a shovel—as he would prefer himself to express it, while in arbitration and conciliation work he has conducted many battles, showing a capacity for a grasp of details which has won the respect of employers. Mr Webb is another practical man jgitjli personal knowledge fil fflSShB

operations for coal and gold. He and the Prime Minister have both worked together as gold miners in Australia.

• As Minister of Industries and Commerce, Mr Sullivan will be found full of initiative, and, judging by his speeches in Parliament, he will not be waiting for suggestions from the department. One early problem for his attention is the unsatisfactory trading relations between New Zealand and Australia,, which the Prime Minister is extremely anxious to improve. It is to be taken for granted that this question will soon be under action. (In this connection it is not unimportant that the Prime Minister is of Australian birth.) The Internal Affairs portfolio covers a remarkable range of responsibilites, but the control over various aspects of sport is outstanding. Mr Parry has shown constant interest in racing problems and sport of all kinds, and he will be acceptable to the sporting community. Mr Parry is one of the athletes of Parliament, and he has encouraged many members to keep themselves fit by organising exercises during the session when it is often difficult to maintain good health.

ELECTION RECOUNTS

EDEN. Anderion (Lib.) ... 5,946 Stallworthy (D.) ... 3,481 Clarke (N.) ...' ... ... 3,458 Pickering (I.) 155 Mr Anderton’s majority has been increased l from 2,375 to 2,465.

MANUKAU. Jordan (Lab.) ... ... 9,345 Wily (N.) ... 2,943 ■ \ Thornley (D.) ... ... • 1,020 Mr Jordan’s majority has been increased from 6,028 to 6,402. .•

, GREY. LYNN. Lee (Lab.) ... 9,838 Wildish (N.) ... ... 1,816 Arthur (D.) ... 1,290 Smith (Coni.) 210 - Mr Lee’s majority was 8,012, an inojeasgi of 507*