A SHADOW CABINET

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIII, 21 November 1928, Page 8

A SHADOW CABINET

THE NEW WARD MINISTRY PROKAIiM-S AMD POSSIBLES PARTY'S PlißLl.-iIiED i.i»-. : i The probabiiitv thai in the near future l-ir .10-cpi'i Waul will bo called on to form a Cevomnient gives i">e id speculation as lo tlie personnel of his Cabinet, says the Auckland "I leiakl.' A definite lead on this point has been given by liie United Party in ilr ' "shadow' Cabinet" which it broadcast a few davs beioro the general election. Whether Sir Joseph Ward will consider himself bound in his Cabinet making by these '■.shadows" hi portraits and print is doubtful, but, if he ignores anyone of them in the process of bargaining a minority into power the shadows may prove very embarrassing realities. At this' stage, however, the shadow may be translated into ihe substance of "the Ward .Ministry to be. As published it consists of 15 members, whereas Reform has been content with 13 Ministers. The 15 were Sir Joseph Ward, Sir Apiraua Xgata, .Messrs W 7. A. Veitch. T. M. Willord. J. 15. Donald. S. G. Smith. E. A. Ransom, G. W. Forbes, A. J. Stallworthy. .1. Cobbe, 11. R. Jenkins, \V. J. Broadfoot, W. B. Xavevner, J. Connolly and W. T. Taylor. Unfortunately in the case ai the three, last-named the seeds of future greatness have fallen .-n eleetoralb stony ground, although Messrs Taverner and Connolly may prove to he electetl when the orticial counts are completed. In the meantime the chosen lifteen has been reduced to a more manageable team of 12 and Sir Joseph will have to reconcile three, fewer chains to the rewards of oflice.

A MINORITY PARTY But that will not make an end of Cabinet possibilities. If Sir Joseph is to lead a House of 80 members, more than 25 followers will have to be found. The first resort would naturally be to the Independents and out of these five a Speaker would probably be found in Sir Charles Statham. The Uniteds would still be in a minority of 27 —26 votes against 53. Obviously support would have to be forthcoming elsewhere and,the necessary quid pro quo in portfolios produced. Therefore it is by no means certain that the 12 to which the original 15 have been reduced will comprise the Ward Cabinet. On the assumption that the 12 do emerge as the new .Ministry and that the Independents and members of other parties allow it to survive, it is permissible to assist Sir Joseph in the distribution of portfolios, helped, of course, by the hints contained in the original presentation of the shadow Cabinet. Naturally Sir Joseph Ward would be his own Prime Minister and Minister of Finance. A great many people voted United to see the "wizard" at work and, in any case, none of his own party would wish to deprive Sir Joseph of the task of raising £70,000,000 at 4i per cent, and lending it out at 4| per cent, without any cost in interest or taxes to the Dominion.

'LITTLE PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE Only two other members of the shadow Cabinet have had previous administrative experience, Mr T. M. Wilford and Sir Apirana N'gata. It would not be surprising to see the former taking his old portfolios of Justice and Marine and Sir Apirana is well fitted to act as Minister of Native Affairs and Minister-in.-Charge of the Cook Islands. On the printed page Mr AY. _ A., Veitch is pfainlv indicated as Minister of Railways, although it is not easy to reconcile his policy of go-slow on railway development with his leader's policy of 'spending ten millions on the- rapid completion of lines. Mr W. B. Taverner is cast in the part of "financial adviser." possibly a necessary complement to spending seventy millions, but at the moment his return for Dunedin South is doubtful. Mr J. B. Donald, described as a "successful city business man," ■ might be envisioned" as Postmaster-General or Minister of Customs, or of Industries and Commerce. Another "well-known business man" is Mr J. G. Cobbe, and there is Mr IT. R. Jenkins, "city business ir.an." both of whom could be considered for the same class of portfolio l . When it comes to agriculture and lauds, there is a confusing number of possibilities. There are four "practical farmers" in Messrs K. A. Ransom, G. W. Forbes, J. G. Cobbe and W. J. Broadfoot, and one 'sheen farmer." in Mr J. Connolly. The return of the lastnamed is, however, doubtful, which leaves the field to the four "practical farmers." There is still an embarrassment of riches in this sphere and plenty of room for practical wizardry. EDUCATION AND LABOUR The Ministry of Education seems clearly to have been reserved for Mr A. J. Stallworthv, who is described as a "well-known"' educationalist. Still another member of the shadow Cabinet is Mr S. G. Smith, who is recommended as having "represented the New Plymouth electorate for some years." His prominent connection in the past with employees' associations would appear to indicate him as Minister cf Labour. Outside this published list is the figure of Mr T. W. McDonald, a former colonel in the Staff Corps and an obvious candidate for the portfolio of defence. So far there has been no indication of it Minister of Public Works, a necessary officer within a party with a huge spending programme. It is possible, if Grey Lvnn's final verdict should be favourable that Mr J. S. Fletcher's business record may recommend him for this portfolio. The whole of these suppositions course, gratuitous and the more so hecause Sir Joseph Ward, if he is if) continue as Prime Minister, mus! seek support outside his parlv and as a corollary award some of the sweets of office to new recruits.