REORGANISING CABINET

New Zealand Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18395, 10 May 1923, Page 6

REORGANISING CABINET

PROBLEM FACING PREMIER.

HIS PRESENT HEAVY BURDEN.

FOUR IMPORTANT PORTFOLIOS [BY -. TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT.] WELLINGTON. Wednesday. Although the Prime; Minister, has . nothing to say-on. the subject at present, the question of selecting a new Minister to fill - the place formerly . occupied $by the Hon. E. P. Lee must be engaging his serious ;■ attention. -j : Not only have tha portfolios of Mr. Lee had .to ..pass into other hands 1 in consequence of the Oamaru electors' decision, but ■ those of the Hon. D. H. Guthrie have had to be temporarily transferred : owing to Mr. Guthrie's illness. , ■' , .' In addition to the portfolios of Finance and Stamp Duties, the Prime -Minister is now holding that of Railways, lof which he has relieved Mr. Guthrie, as well .as . those of External Affairs and Industries and Commerce, j which are the legacy of Mr. ' Lee. Sir Francis Bell, who is Attorney-General ; and Leader of the - Upper House, has taken Mr. Guthrie's portfolio ', of Lands, ; and . Mr. Lee s portfolio of Justice.; Sir W. M. Fraser, who is a Minister without portfolio and who, (luring the . absence' of (Sir Francis Bell from New, Zealand ; last year, occupied the ' post of • Leader , of the Legislative Council, performs various Ministerial duties when other members of the Executive are out of Wellington. -