THE NEW CABINET.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 14865, 16 December 1911, Page 8

THE NEW CABINET.

PROBABLE COMPOSITION. MR. VEITCH MAY BE INCLUDED. There has been much speculation regarding the personnel of the Cabinet which will be formed by Mr. Massey upon the resignation of the present Government. ' Tho inclusion of Mr. W. A. Veitch, the newlyelected Labour member for Wanganui, as Minister for Labour is regarded as a possible development of the increased strength of Labour representation. The Leader of the Opposition declines to discuss the subject at present. Questioned yesterday regarding the probable allocation of portfolios, Mr. Massey said he would not talk of a Ministry until he reached the Cabinet-making stage, and he had not done so yet. He added that he was in no degree perturbed by the chorus of misrepresentation which had come from Ministers and their journalistic friends; they were welcome to relieve their feelings in this way if it gave them any satisfaction. The supporters of the Reform party knew him and the men they had elected, and though tho Government might scream itself hoarse, the

position would not be affected, 'for the country had decided that it was in the best interests of the community for it to leavo UK Government floundering in the margn or 'Retrogression, while it advanced along the fx>ad of progress and reform. SoOw interesting opinions regarding the present political position were given by a prominent member of the Political Reform League yesterday. Speaking of the leader of the party, he said the people of New Zealand had not yet fully realised the strength of his character, as he had been perceived by those who had gained an intimate knowledge of tho man himself. Behind the genial smilo that was. so well known throughout the country, there was % tremendous reserve power. The possibility of a consolidation of the Reform party and a largo section of the workers was discussed as a practical possibility conducivo to the beneiit of tho whole community. In that event the elevation to Cabinet rank of Mr. Veitch as Minister for Labour was most probable. The new member for Wanganui is acknowledged to bo the best typo of Labour representative and a most able man.

In view of the need for development of tho North Island, it appears likely that the portfolio of Public Works will be entrusted to a North Island representative havinga more intimate knowledge of its requirements than would bo possessed by a South Island raomber. The qualifications of Mr. G. M. Thomson could hardly be overlooked in tho distribution of portfolios. In Parliamentary circles Mr. Thomson is popularly known "as "the scientist of the House," and a man of conspicuous ability and scholarship. He would certainly carry the portfolio of Education with distinction.