ASSISTANT MINISTERS

Evening Star, Issue 22206, 7 December 1935, Page 21

ASSISTANT MINISTERS

CO-OPTING LABOUR MEMBERS HEW DEVELOPMENT IN CABINET ADMINISTRATION to the ‘ Stak.‘] WELLINGTON, December 7. The new development in Cabinet administration—the association of private members with Ministerial work—was described to-day by the Hon. W. E. Parry, Minister of Internal Affairs. _ This important change will establish closer relations between the department and the public. Government members representing Auckland, Christchurch, and Dunedin constituencies will bo associated with Mr Parry, practically as assistant Ministers. Mr T. Anderton, who has been a member of the Auckland City Council for many years, will handle Auckland matters when the Minister is unable to deal with them personally. Mr R. M‘Keon, a member of the Wellington City Council, will act in a similar capacity in connection with questions affecting Wellington. The Hon. D. G. Sullivan, because of his long association with local body affairs in Christchurch, will co-operate in regard to Christchurch matters, and either Dr M'Millau or Mr P. Neilson will handle Dunedin affairs. Mr Parry explained that, under this arrangement, assistant Ministers would not have the authority to make decisions, but would receive representations and convey them to him with their recommendations, final action in every case being a matter for himself. It was hoped, however, that by this system he, as the responsible Minister, would be kept fully informed on _ all local matters requiring his attention. The assistant Ministers would, of course, act in an advisory capacity only, but, in the event of an urgent question affecting any particular town arising, he would be in a position to send one of his associates to hear the caseQuestioned regarding the policy to ho followed in connection with the big art unions, Mr Parry said that he would go no further at present than to say that, in the meantime, they would bo continued as in the past.