THE WAKD MINISTRY.

Otago Witness, Issue 2734, 8 August 1906, Page 47

THE WAKD MINISTRY.

THE MINISTERS SWOBN IN.

ALLOTMENT OF PORTFOLIOS.

INTERVIEWS AND PRESS OPINIONS.

(Fbou Otjb Ows ■Cokrbspojjdbnt.)

WELLINGTON, August 6.

The new Ministry was sworn in at Government House this afternoon, tho members of it being as predicted. The allotment of the portfolios, which is as follows, is, however, not quite what tho prophet* predicted : — Hon. Sir J. G. WARD, Prime Minister, Colonial Treasurer, Postmaster-general, Commissioner of Telegraphs, Minister of Industries, and Commerce, Minister

in charge of the International Exhibi-

tion. Hon. W. HALL-JONES, Minister of Rail-

ways and Minister of Public Works. Hon. J. CARROLL, Native Minister,

Commissioner of Stamps and Deeds. Hon. J. M'GOWAN, Minister of Justice,

Minister of Mines, Minister of Immigra-

tion. Hon. A. PITT. Attorney-general, Colonial

Secretary, and Minister of Defence. Hon. J. A. MILLAR, Commissioner of

Customs

Minister of Labour, Minister

of Marino. Hon. R. M'NAB, Minister of Lands,

Minister of Agriculture. Hon. G. FOWLDS, Minister of Education

and Minister of Public Health.

Sir J. G. Ward, it will be seen, lias a pretty big burden to carrj", and no doubt he would have been glad if 6omeone else had taken the portfolio of Industries aud Commerce from him, but I understand none of the other Ministers were particularly anxious to undertake the work.

The reason for Mr Carroll not retaining the Colonial Secretaryship is probably because he has not been in the best of health lately, and also to enable nim to devote practically the whole of his timo to the Native Department, in which there is much room for improvement.

It is generally conceded that Mr Millar will make a satisfactory Minister of Customs.

As Defence Minister, the Hon. A. Pitt has already earned the encomiums of leading men in the department, who have found him a much more satisfactory Minister of Defence than his predecessor.

Mr M'Nab is left free to deal with lands and agriculture. Of both these subjects he has made a special study, and considerable improvement in the administration, especially of the Agricultural Department, may confidently be looked for.

The placing of the Education Department under the control of Mr Fowlds is an astute move on Sir Joseph Ward's part, and v.-ill <ro a long way towards silencing rhe criticisms of the anti-Catholics.

The new Ministers are already in office.

In swearing in the Ministry as members of the Executive Council the Clerk of the Council first administered the 'ollowing oath of allegiance:— " I, Joseph George Ward, do swear that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to his Majesty King Edward, his heirs and successors according to law. So help me, God."

There is a special oath necessary before taking a seat on the Executive, the following being the text of it: — "I, , being chosen and admitted of -the Executive Council in New Zealand, do swear that I will, to the best of my judgment, at all times when thereto required, freely give my counsel and advice to the Governor, Lieutenant-governor, or officer administering the government of New Zealand for the time being, for the good management of the affairs of New Zealand. That I will not directly nor indirectly reveal such matters as shall be debated in Council and committed to my secrecy, but that I will in all things be a true and faithful councillor. So help me, God."