THE MINISTRY

Feilding Star, Volume XVI, Issue 4015, 15 June 1920, Page 6

THE MINISTRY

| TAVO UNPLACED PORTFOLIOS. Nothing has yet been done by the Prime Minister about tho appointment of another Minister. It will be remembered that ivlien Mr Massey announced the last appointment, that of Mr Anderson, be suggested that he- I might make one other appointment late. In the course of a few days Sir j William Fraser will be retiring from the Minstry, and this ivill leave the portfolio of Mines to be allocated. No satisfactory placing of Defence has yet been fixed, for although Mr Coates is acting, be has let it be knoAvn that he does not consider that he can do justice to,the big portfolio of Defence as ivell. Changes in the Defence soli erne and in the administration must be made with as little delay as possible, but it is understood that they can be made without legislation. The -york of getting the Department to something like a peace footing has not yet been done, hoAvever, and tlie new Minister may find the task no easy one. The ivoi-k of all Ministers lias increased enormously of late years, and unless great changes are made in administrative methods, by which the Minister will be releved of much of tbe detail which has to be Tevieived by the Minister of practically every Department, an increase in the number of Ministers avII be unavoidable. The appointment of another Minister may not be made at once, but will probably; have to be made before "the session is far advanced. •