NEW CABINET.

Hawera Star, Volume XLV, 30 May 1925, Page 5

NEW CABINET .

SWEARING-IN CEREMONY*

STATEMENT FROM LEADER

THE FUSION QUESTION

(By Telegraph. —Special to the Star.) WELLINGTON, May 30; After the interesting events of Wednesday, matters* political have become exceedingly quiet* in YVellington. A good dear or formality is necessary over the change of Mini I. try, even under condition** involving no controversy. The way wouiu have been clear for Mr. Coates to accompany his colleagues t.» Government House today to lie sworn in as members of the Executive Council and as Cabinet Minister* but for tlie heavy pressure of business which. they have had to carry on. One Minister had to leave Wellington for the day, but he returns on Saturday morning, when the formal ceremony which makes. Mr. Coates. Prime Minister in actual fact takes, place at Government House. As already indicated, tliei new Prime Minister is not making Ministerial changes, at this stage. His old colleagues are continuing their duties, but an early revision of portfolios is expected, as it is manifestly impossible that Mr. Coates can continue tot shoulder his present responsibilities, which comprise, in addition to the exceedingly heavy general work of Prime Minister, the portfolios of. Railways, Public Works. Postmaster-General, i Native Affairs, Public Trust and a; few small departments which need only occasional attention. One of the new Ministers is absent in America,' Mr. D q.wn.ia Stewart, whose principal portfolio is Customs, and it is understood t.liat although recent events involved his automatic resignation as Minister, a way has been found of continuing him under the leadership of Mr. Coates ' without the necessity for his formal i attendance to take the oath anew. A PUBLIC STATEMENT. The Prime Minister, intends, soon after formally taking office, to issue to the public or New Zealand a statement which wiil be of great interest. Un-. der such circumstances it can- hardly , be expected that the statement will include any substantial references to., future policy, os Mr. Coates has already expressed his opinion that it is wise not to hasten in this matter. y However, he will, I am informed, deaL with the general political.situation and make reference to the important decision of his party on the subject Reform members are discussing—their attitude towards Liberal opposition—with freedom and friendliness-. There seems to be a. preponderance of opinion that the practical difficulties are so great- that ah arrangement (will be lia.rd to effect. The party, however, has not set out a formal plan on which -,'T it is prepared to secure the co-opera-tion, and it leaves the details to its - new leader, with the provision that a ripcommittee he appointed to meet representative Liberals, and then to rbpo'rtL to a party caucus. This method' would enable any rserious difficulties to be discussed by the two interests involved, and a solution is more likely to be managed than through the medium of a formal exchange of otters and counter proposals. When details of the Ministry and the portfolios are announced, they will provide corroboration for my previous suggestion that the. Prime Minister is leaving the way open for something to tie done to remove the three party difficulty before next election.

CHANGES IN PORTFOLIOS.

REPORTED ALTER ATIONS.

WELLINGTON. May 30.

It is semi-officially stated that the only changes in portfolios when the Ministry is sworn in to-dnv will be that Mr. Coates becomes Prime Minister -and gives rip Post and Telegraph to Sir O. J. Parr, and that Mr. Nosworthv takes Finance, pending Mr. Downie Stewart’s' return. In response to earnest requests, from the Maoris, the Prime Minister'retains the portfolio of Native Affairs::