THE CABINET.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20901, 16 December 1929, Page 12

THE CABINET.

MR WILFORD’S RESIGNATION. PORTFOLIOS REARRANGED. PRIME MINISTER BECOMES POSTMASTER-GENERAL. MR SIDEY NEW MINISTER OF JUSTICE. {Special to Daily Times.) WELLINGTON, December 14. w Th , e , Pnme Minister (Sir Joseph Ward) announced to-day that, conse--3i‘ eJ NT. upon the appointment of Mr T M. Wilford as High Commissioner for New Zealand and the resignation by him of his portfolios, the following changes m Ministerial offices had been decided upon Mr T. K. Sidey, MJLC., to be Minister of Justice and Minister in Charge of the tw 6 and Prisons Departments. Mr J. G. Cobbe relinquishes the portfolio of Industries and Commerce and becomes Minister of Defence and Minister in Charge of War Pensions. Mr J. B, Donald relinquishes the'portfoho of Postmaster-general and Minister of Telegraphs and becomes Minister of Industries and Commerce. Sir Joseph Ward relinquishes the Department of Tourist and Health Resorts and becomes Postmaster-general and Minister of Telegraphs. Mr P. A. de, la Perrellc assumes control of the Tourist and Health Resorts Department. In referring to these changes, the Prime Minister stated that as the Defence portfolio was a heavy one it was desirable that Mr Cobbe should be relieved of one of his present offices, and in view of Mr Donald’s long and extensive business experience it was fitting that the position of Minister 1 of Industries and Commerce should be entrusted to him. With regard to the Postmaster-gene-ralship, Sir Joseph Ward said: “From 1891 to 1896, and again from 1899 to 1912, I held this portfolio, and it can readily he understood that my interest in the Postal Department, which grew gradually over all those years, has been maintained. Since I have been Prime Minister it has been repeatedly brought under my notice that there are varying conditions of employment in the different Government departments with-vat apparently any reason for the differentiation. So that, I may have an opportunity of examining the question in detail I have decided to take over the portfolio of Postmaster-general and arrange for a full investigation of the reasons, if any, for the difference in treatment of the various departments. *As the matter should be cleared up early, my previous experience as Postmaster-general will enable me to do this with greater ease than if I had to approach the subject do novo. At first glance it seems to he rather unusual that a railway porter rises in five years to an adult’s wage (£4 0s 8d a week), whereas a postman in the same time reaches a wage of £2 6a only. These and similar questions have been coming under my notice for some time, and I propose to have them fully inquired into at once. It will he remembered that Parliament agreed last session that the question of the wages of public servants should be inquired into during the recess.” THE RECONSTITUTED MINISTRY. Sir JOSEPH WARD—Prime Minister Minister of Finance, Postmastergeneral and Minister of Telegraphs. Minister of External Affairs, Minister of Stamp Duties, and Minister in Charge 0! Public Trust, Legislative, State Advances, Land and Income Tax, and High Commissioner’s Departments, Mr G. W. FORBES—Minister of Lands, Minister of Agriculture, and Minister in Charge of the Land for Settlements, Scenery Preservation, Discharged Soldiers* Settlement, and Valuation. Departments. Sir APIRANA NGATA—Minister of Native Affairs, Minister of Cook Islands, and Minister in Charge of Native Trust, Government Life Insurance, and State Fire Departments, and Member of the Executive Council representing the Native Race. Mr H. ATMORE—Minister of Education, and Minister in Charge of the Scientific and Industrial Research Department. Mr W. A. VEITCH —Minister of Labour. Minister of Mines, Minister of Transport, and Minister in Charge of the Pensions and Electoral Departments. Mr E. A. RANSOM—Minister of Public Works, and Minister in Charge of Roads and Public Buildings. Mr W. B. TAVERNER—Minister of Railways, Minister of Customs, Commissioner of State Forests, and Minister in Charge of Publicity and Advertising Departments. Mr J. B. DONALD—Minister of Industries and Commerce, and Minister in Charge of Public Service Superannuation, Friendly Societies, and National Provident Fund Departments. Mr P. A. de la PERRELLE, Minister of Internal Affairs, and Minister in Charge of Tourist and Health Resorts, Registrar-general’s, Statistician’s, Laboratory, Printing and Stationery, Publicity, Audit, and Museum Departments. Mr J. G. COBBE—Minister of Defence, Minister of Marine, Minister of Immigration, Minister in Charge of the Inspection of Machinery Department, Minister in Charge of War Pensions. Mr A. J. STALLWORTHY—Minister of Health, and Minister in Charge of the Mental Hospitals Department. Mr T. K. SlDEY—Attorney-general, and Leader of the Legislative Council Minister of Justice, and Minister in Charge of Police and Prisons Departments.