MR, SEDDON RECONSTRUCTS THE MINISTRY.

Otago Witness, Issue 2045, 4 May 1893, Page 17

MR, SEDDON RECONSTRUCTS THE MINISTRY.

NO NEW MEMBERS INTRODUCED.

THE ALLOTMENT OF PORTFOLIOS. Wellington, May 1.

Ministers were in Cabinet all day discussing'the situation. At 3 o'clock the Hon. Mr Seddon, in response to the request of the Governor, visited Government House, and was asked to form a Government. Further Cabinet meetings were held, at which it was decided Mr Seddon should take the Premiership and Mr Ward the Colonial Treasurership, the other portfolios' remaining as at present. This decision was communicated to the Governor, and at 6 o'clock Ministers were sworn in. The vacant portfolio was not discussed, but the Post states that Mr T. Thompson, of Auckland, is likely to be offered the portfolio of Minister for Public Works. A Gazette extraordinary issued to-night contains a notification of the acceptance by his Excellency the Governor oE the resignations of Ministers. It also announces that the Governor has this day appointed Mr Seddon, Sir P. Buckley, Messrs Reeves, M'Kenzie, Ward, Cadman, and Carroll as members of the Executive Council of New Zealand, and that these gentlemen have taken the' oath of office accordingly.

THE NEW CABINET.

The following is the new Cabinet :— H©n. R. J. Seddon, Premier, Minister for Public Works, Minister for Mines, and Minister for Defence. Hon. Sir P. A. Buckley, K.C.M.G., Attorney-general, Colonial Secretary, and Minister for Marine. Hon. W. P. Reeves, Minister for Education, Commissioner of Stamp Daties, and Minister for Labour. Hon. J.M'Kenzie, Minister for Lands and Immigration, Minister for Agriculture, and Commissioner of Forests. Hon. J. G. Ward, Colonial Treasurer, Postmaster-general, Electric Telegraph Commissioner, and Commissioner of Customs. Hon. A. J. Cadman, Minister for Justice. Hon. J. CABROLL (without portfolio) representing the Native race. It will be seen that the new Ministry consists entirely of the remaining members of the Ballance Cabinet. The principal changes of office outside the accession to the Premiership of the Hon. R. J. Seddon have been the transfer to the Hon. Mr Ward of the portfolio of Colonial Treasurer and Commissioner of Customs, and the passing of the Marine department from the new Premier to the Hon Sir P. A. Buckley. Mr Seddon, after fully considering tb.6 situation with his colleagues, has undertaken to carry on the administration on similar lines of poHcy to those followed by the Baliance Ministry until a meeting of the Liberal party at the opening of the session, when the party will be asked to determine as to whether the present arrangement shall continue. Later. The new Ministry (as telegraphed earlier in tha evening) was gazetted to-night.