LABOUR CABINET

Hokitika Guardian, 17 December 1940, Page 6

LABOUR CABINET

CHANGES FOLLOW CAUCUS

TWO NEW MINISTERS

(Per Press Association—Copyright).

WELLINGTON, Dec. 16

The caucus of the Labour Party which met at Parliament Buildings this morning to review the Cabinet, recommended for favourable consideration to the Prime Minister, lit. Hon. P. Fraser, the appointment of Mr J. G. Barclay (Marsderi) and Rev. A. ll'. Nordmeyer (Oamaru) to Cabinet. It also recommended the appointment of Mr P. K. Paikea (Northern Maori) as a representative of the native rage on the Executive Council. Prior to the vote of the caucus the Minister of Agriculture (Hon W. Lee. Martin) and the Minister of Marine (Dr. D. G. 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 a vote of caucus for continuance in office and, at the end of the deliberations, which lasted nearly four 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 Mihister (Mr Fraser) said: “When the caucus met, 1 announced that Mr Lee Martin, acting on his doctor’s advice, had asked to be relieved of office, and I. indicated > the caucus that I proposed to arrange for that to be done early in the New. Year. I also expressed my deep regret at Mr Martin’s having to take this course.

“Dr McMillan also announced that he was compelled to reconsider his position as a meni.be*.* of the Cabinet, as he did not feel he could maintain his health under the conditions imposed by Ministerial responsibility, though he felt quite able, to carry on his private work. “.On a vote of caucus, the ten remaining Ministers were recommended..to the Prime Minister, .for continuance qL office, and the’ lheifihers recommended by the caucus ..tu, , Prime Minister to till -the vacancies wel’e. Mr Barclay .and Rev. Mr Nbrdmeyer. In-addition, on the .-Prime "Minister’s recommendations, it- 1 was .unanimously agreed., that a member of-the native,rice shouldbe" appointed to the Executive 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 whole-hearted support. This was carried unanimously, and with enthusiastic aecalamation. • A motion was passed epressing regret at ,th£.resignations of Mr '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, MxEraser /said that this wo.uld receive attention early in the New Year.

: THE MINISTRY* , y The Alinisters confirmed in office are as. follows ry- ■' I lit. Hon. P. Frasef—'-Pfinie '-Minister. Minister in Charge of Police, Broadcasting, Legislative, Electoral, Audit and High Commissioner’s Departments

Hon. AV. Nash —Minister of Finance; Minister of Customs, Minister oi Stamp Duties, Minister of Marketing, Minister in Charge of Land and Income Tax, Public Service Superannuation and Census and Statistics Departments.

Hon. D. G. -Sullivan —-Minister of Industries and Commerce, Minister- ol Railways. Hon. IT. G. R. Mason. —-Minister of Education, Attorney-General, Minister of Justice, Minister in-Charge of- Public Trust and Patents Offices.

Hon H. T. Armstrong—Minister cf Health, Minister, in Charge of. Mental Hospitals Department, Minister in (.barge of Housing and State Advances. Hori. R. Semple—Minister of Public Works, 'Minister of Transport, Alinister of National Service, and Minister- in Charge of Roads and Public Buildings. Hon. AV. E. Parry—Minister of Internal Affairs, Alinister of Social Security, Alinister of Registrar-General’.--. Office. Ron. P. C. AA’ebb —Alinister of Labour, Minister of Alines, PostmasterGeneral and Alinister of Telegraphs, Minister in Charge of Printing and Stationery Department. Hon. F. Jones—Alinister of Defence, and Alinister in Charge of AA r ar Pensions. Hon. F. Langstone—Alinister ol Lauds. Commissioner of State Forests, Alinister of External Affairs, Native Minister,. Alinister for the Cook Islands, Alinister in Charge of Native Trust and Valuation Departments. Land for Settlements, Scenery Preservation and Tourist and Health Resorts.

Hon. D. Wilson--Minister of Immigration, Minister in Charge of Government Life Insurance and State Fire Ins\iranee Departments. Tlie portfolios held by Mr Lee Martin - are as follows: Minister of Agriculture. Minister in Charge of Friendly Societies and National Provident Fund Departments. Dr'McMillan’s portfolios are: Minister •of Marine. Minister in Charge of Inspection of Machinery, Prisons and Scientific and Industrial Research Departments!

THE NEW MINISTERS.; Mr J. G. Barclay, the Government member for Mnrsdon, and Rev. A. H. Nordmeyer, Government member tor Oamaru, were both elected to the House of Representatives in the 193/ General Elections, and increased their majorities at the last General Election.

Mr Barclay, who is a . well-known farmer in the North Auckland district first contested the Marsdeu scat in 1931, when he was defeated by tinsitting member, Mr A. J. Murdoch (United) by 5,838 votes to 2896. (At the 1935 election Mr Baredav won the seat from, Mr. Murdoch hv 5,21.5 votes tto 4.868 votes, Mr Murdoch having boon Minister of Agriculture in the Forbes and Forbes-Hamilton Ministries. At the 1938 election ~ no defeated Mr Murdoch by 6,1.57 votes to 5,600 votes. In Parliament he has distinguished hjin self as a keen advocate of farming improvements, and has taken ah exceptionally keen interest in land clearing projects both in Ins own district and in other parts of the Dominion. He has assisted Mr Lee Martin in his work as Minister of Agriculture. The manner in which he acted a:, chairman of the Select Committee which considered the. Social Security Act. ;u 1938 brought the name of Key. A. H. Nordmeyer prominently before the public of the Dominion. A forceful speaker, Mr Nordmeyer. earned the 'approbation of his Parliament* arv colleagues by the manner h 1 which he assisted to pilot' the (Bib through the House ,of- Representative's. Mr Nordmeyer won the Oamaru seat from the- sitting Nationalist menu her, Mr. J, A. McPherson at the 1935, elections', by 5,296 votes to 4,154. ~ At the jast General Election in 1938; lie defeated -Mr F. E. Cooney (former Mayor of Oamaru) by 5,971 votes to 5,213.

NATIVE MINISTER. The appointment of Air P. K. Paikea as member of the Executive Council to represent the native race, revives a custom, which, with intervals when no native sat ,/on the Council, has prevailed sineq the days of the Ballance Ministry. Amongst notable holders of ( the office have been the late Sir Maui Pomare and • Sir ;l Apirana- Ngata, both- of ' whOlii' subsequently held different Ministerial (portfolios. Mr . Paikea first- qoR-s tested i the Northern Maori seat in 1931, when he , was-defeated-. by t-iiiv late- Air Tan. Heiiare /by 3,231 -votes to 1,935 votes. In 1935, lie was./,againAir Ilenare winning .by 3,303 votes' to ,2,320. At the last general election, lie succeeded in .defeating i ATr Hena're, who had represented the; district for more than 20 years by 4,669 votes to 2,658. Air Paikea .is a fluent speaker, held in high esteem *in northern Maori circles. . ,