NEW MINISTER

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 166, 13 June 1940, Page 8

NEW MINISTER

DR. D. G. McMILLAN. MR SEMPLE’fs NEAV ROLE. (By Telegraph.—Special to Standard.) WELLINGTON, June 12. Dr. D. G. McMillan, M.P, ior Dunedin AVest, was sworn in as a member of the Government this morning and shortly afterwards he attended a moeling of the Executive Council. The portfolios assumed by the new Minister are those of Marine, Inspection of ■ Machinery, Prisons, and Minister-in-Charge of Scientific and Industrial Research. This involves a rearrangement, relieving Hon. H. G. R. Mason of the Prisons Department, Hon. D. G. Sullivan of control of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research and Hon. R. Semple of the Marine Department and its inspection of machinery branch.

At tlie same time Mr Semple undertakes the new responsibility of Minister of National Service. This is understood to cover a wide range of duties including those undertaken by Hon. D. AVilson as Minister of Man-Power. It is well-known that the transference of the Man-Power portfolio under its new title will meet with satisfaction among the rank and file of the Government Party, .which is critical of administrative posts of importance being held by Ministers not directly responsible to the House of Representatives. Dr. McMillan, whose age is 36, brings youth to the Cabinet and, except for Mr J. B. Cotterill, M.P. for ■AA r angainii, lie is the youngest member of the House.

“I am pleased to get such a combination of duties.” stated the new Minister this morning. “I am particularlv interested in all the subjects which they cover, because they offer opportunities lor constructive work.”