CABINET CHANGES.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XLII, Issue XLII, 8 June 1923, Page 5

CABINET CHANGES.

THE-NEXT'MINISTER OF JUSTICE. "Before tliA session opens, the Prime Minister will consult his party regarding redistribution of portfolios and the appointment of new Ministers. The candidates are so numerous that it would be mere guesswork to indicate the possibilities, for everything defends on what must be done to maintain the solidarity of the party—and the threatening influences of a personal character will only be revealed to the caucus However, the proposal to appoint Mr. Contes Minister of Railways and relieve him of all other portfolios excepting that of Public Works, is almost certain to be approved. Another interesting change will be th? passing of the Public Health portfolio to another Minister, probably Sir Francis Bell, R0 as to enable the present Minister of Health, the Hon O J I arr one of the lawyers of the Cabinet to take the portfolio of Justice. This will meet objections which have often been raised to "this portfolio being held by a nominated member of the legislature. POINTS IN THE PROGRAMME. An understanding will have to be secured at an early date regarding the representation of New Zealand at the Imperial Conference next October. This is obviously a matter for careful "handling by the Prime Minister, who will be obliged to make a wider appeal than that of party if he is to be released in time to reach London for the opening ■ of the conference. The official Op- * position attitude has not yet been disclosed, but it may be taken for eranted that the party led by Mr. Holland will strongly obiect to any curtailment of the session if it means the* neglect of many matters which they considered should have been handled at the short session of February. Mr. Wilforcl, who, did not countenance the "holdup" on that occasion, will be more critical in the near future, because he urged the Government to prepare for the coming session legislation for the revision of the whole of the pensions systems; housing with a substantial financial provision; reform of the electoral system; revaluation of soldiers' lands; creation of an appeal board for the public service; establishment of a State bank and agricultural banks; medical and dental treatment- for backblocks settlers; revision of superannuation grants; and provision to relieve unemployment. The reports of special investigation committees in regard to soldier settlement should be available, at an early date, and the Government will no doubt face the unpleasant necessity of writing down values quite substantially. It will also, have to satisfy the House that settlement of the remaining soldiers who desire to go on the land has not been completely abandoned. The Bairv Control Bill, which is being generally discussed, by the producers throughout the Dominion, will be introduced by the Minister of Agriculture, and is likely to cause- lengthy discussion not only in the House, but before the Select Committee, to which it will no doubt be referred. One part of the moratorium, that relating to deposits over £1000 with i mortgage and deposit companies, runs out at the end of June, but there appears to be no demand from these-com-panies for further relief, and the main

moratorium contihnes under the la.^t amending statute until December ;',J. 3£24. so that legislation of this t-Jass is not urgent. Rent restriction will however, have to be further cou#lorci! during the session. The apprenticeship problem will come up by the introduction of a Bill under the control of the Minister of Labour. This will be referred to the Labour Bills Committee, arid as it is reported that investigations by a small committee appointed by a recent conference on this subject have disclosed more in the way of problems than solutions, it may be safely prophesied that this measure will not appear in the list of statutes passed during the coming .session. Finally—though in order of importance it is first—comes the. Budget, with [its prospects of penny postage, revision of telephone rates, railway freight concessions, and further relief for the general taxpayer. It will be the most interesting document of the session.