TWO MINISTERS RESIGN

Greymouth Evening Star, 17 December 1940, Page 2

TWO MINISTERS RESIGN

dr. McMillan & MR. martin

SUCCESSORS APPOINTED 1 [per press association.] WELLINGTON, December 16. The caucus of the Labour Party, which met in Parliament Buildings this morning, to review the personnel of the Cabinet, recommended for favourable consideration to the Prime Minister (Mr. Fraser) the appointment of Mr. J. G. Barclay (Marsden) and Mr. A. H. Nordmeyer (Oamaru) to the Cabinet, and also Recommended the appointment of Mr. K. Paikea (Northern Maori), as representative of the native race on the Executive Council. Before the vote of caucus, the Minister for Agriculture (Mr. Lee Martin) and the Minister for Marine (Dr. McMillan), who was appointed last June, both expressed a desire to be relieved of ministerial rank because of health reasons. The ten remaining Ministers were approved on the vote of caucus for continuance in office, and at the end of the deliberations, which lasted nearly three hours, a motion expressing full confidence in the suggested new Ministry was carried unanimously and with acclamation. At the conclusion of the caucus, the Prime Minister said: “When caucus met I announced that Mr. Lee Martin, acting on his doctor’s advice, had asked to be relieved of office, and I indicated to caucus that I proposed to arrange for that-to be done early in the New Year. I also expressed my deep regret at Mr. Lee Martin having to take this course.

“Dr. McMillan also announced that he was compelled to reconsider his position as a member of the Cabinet, as he did not feel that he could maintain his health undei’ the conditions imposed by Ministerial responsibility, though he felt quite able to carry on his private work.

“On the vote of caucus, the 10 remaining Ministers were recommended to the Prime Minister for continuance in office, and the members recommended by caucus to the Prime Minister to fill the vacancies were Mr. Barclay and Mr. Nordmeyer. In addition, on the Prime Minister’s recommendation, it was unanimously agreed that a member of the native race should be appointed to the Exe--1 cutive Council, and the caucus recommended Mr. Paikea. A motion approving of the whole Cabinet as thus recommended was passed, with an expression of confidence and wholehearted support. This was carried unanimously, and with enthusiastic acclamation. A motion was passed expressing regret at the resignations of Mr. Lee Martin and Dr. McMillan, and high appreciation of and thanks for their past services. Asked when the allocation of portfolios necessitated by these changes would be considered, Mr. Fraser said that this would receive attention early in the New Year. NEW MINISTERS. Mr. Barclay, a farmer in the North Auckland district, first contested the Marsden seat in 1931 when he was defeated by the sitting member, Mr. A. J. Murdoch (United) by 5838 votes to 2896. At the 1935 election Mr. Barclay won the seat from Mr. Murdoch by 5215 votes to 4868 votes. At the 1938 election he defeated Mr. Murdoch by 6157 votes to 5600 votes. Mr. Nordmeyer was chairman of the Select Committee which considered the Social Security Act in 1938. Mr. Nordmeyer won the Oamaru seat from the sitting Nationalist member, Mr. J. A. Macpherson at the 1935 elections, by 5296 votes to 4154. At the last General Election in 1938, he defeated Mr. F. E. Cooney by 5971 votes to 5213.

Mr. Paikea first contested the Northern Maori seat in 1931, when he was defeated by the late Mr. Tau Henare by 3231 votes to 1935 votes. In 1935 he was again unsuccessful, Mr. Henare winning by 3303 votes to 2320. At the last general election he succeeded in defeating Mr. Henare, who had represented the district for more than 20 years, by 4669 votes to 2658.