ANOTHER MINISTER.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVIII, Issue 18407, 13 May 1920, Page 6

ANOTHER MINISTER.

LABOUR PORTFOLIO NOT j ALLOCATED. POSSIBILITIES OF FUTURE. [From Oun Corkespojkuent.] WELLINGTON, May 13. ' Cabinet reconstruction is complete by the appointment of Mr George J. Anderson, member for Mataura, who takes the portfolio of Internal Affairs. There is some reshuffling of portfolios,' which is not quite completed, as for instance the allocation of Labour, an important responsibility which the Prime Minister intends handing to some colleague, probably Sir William Herries, who held it temporarily during Mr Massey's absence at the Peaco Conference. This matter will be definitely decided during the week, as well as the allocation of a number of minor Departments. Tho Prime Minister informed a representative of the "Lyttelton Times" that the principal portfolios are in the following" hands:— Mr Massey, Prime Minister, Finance, Railways. ' Sir William Herries, Native Affairs, Marine, Customs. Sir Francis Bell, leader of*the Legislative Council, Attorney-General. Hon D- H. Guthrie, Lands, Discharged Soldiers' Settlement,

Hon W. Nosworthy, Agriculture, Immigration. Hon J. G. Coates, Publio Works, Defence. Hon E. P. Lee, Justice, External Affairs. Hon C. J. Parr, Education, Public Health. Hon G. J. Anderson, Internal Affairs. Hon Dr Pomare, member of the Executive representing the Native Race, Minister in charge of Cook Island!). ANOTHER MINISTER. POSSIBLE.

The Prime Minister pointed out that, ! including the representative of the Native race on the Executive, there were now ton Ministers. There is statutory power to appoint eleven. "But," he said, " for the present we will carry on with ten. If the work is found to be too heavy by tho time the session T shall appoint another Minister. The session will open about tho usual linio, at the end of June." Asked if the Government mnttem-< plates revising the Customs tariff this session, as was indicated some time ago by Sir William Herries, Mr Massey stated that six months was not a long period for the preparation of such a heavy task, and it would be impossible to tackle it in the coming session.

THE NEW MINISTER. Mr George James Anderson, the new Minister of Internal Affairs, was born at Backcreek, Bendigo, Victoria, in January, 1860.. He was brought to Now Zealand by his parents, John and Matilda Anderson, in April, 1862. His parents settled in Otago, and were among the pioneers of the district. MiAnderson was educated at the Lawrence Grammar School, and on leaving school was apprenticed to the printing trade. Ho later entered journalism, and in 1903 was elected member for Mataura, a seat which he has held ever since. He was at one time a member of the Southland Education Board, and a member of the Lhinodiu School Committees.' Association. He was also one of the founders of the Canterbury Typo* graphical TTuu>»* .