MEMBERS OF CABINET.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18703, 8 May 1924, Page 10

MEMBERS OF CABINET.

NEW MINISTER LIKELY.

MR. MoLEOD MENTIONED. --ggr— [BY TELEGBAPH.-SQWN CORRESPONDENT.] WELLINGTON, Wednesday The fact that two members of the present Cabinet are at the moment in indifferent health must inevitably lead shortly to a redistribution of portfolios. Sir B. Heaton Rhodes has been urged by his medical advisor that he must relinquish hip . work [for t(ae time being, on account of heart trouble, so ha will take a month's holiday at his home, near Christchurch. Thei Hon. D. H. Guthrie, though considerably improved in health, is still far from strong, and it would be inadvisable for him to attempt the work of a strenuous cession in charge of the departments he- at present controls. Under the circumstances, it seems inevitable that another member must bo appointed to take a seat at the Cabinet table. It is suggested that the new portfolio may fall to Mr. A. D. McLeod, the member for Wairarapa, who, in all probability, would get the portfolio of Lands. He has been on the land himself all his life, and knows New Zealand conditions. ■' The question of the appointment of a new member of the. Cabinet, of course, rests with the Prime Minister,' and so far he has given no indication as to what is 'in his . mind. Should, however, he decide to hand a portfolio to Mr. McLeod, there would not be the least doubt that his decision would meet with the unanimous support of the present Cabinet.

PORTFOLIOS DISTRIBUTED. fISX TELEGRAPH. —PRESS ASSOCIATION.] WELLINGTON, "Wednesday. The portfolios held by Sir R. Heaton Rhodes, who is leaving for his home on holiday, have been distributed as follows: Forestry, Sir Francis Bell; Defence, Hon. W. Downie Stewart; War Pensions, State Fire, Government Life Insurance, , Superannuation, and Friendly Societies, Hon. G. J. Anderson.