MINISTERS' SECRETARIES.

Otago Witness, Issue 2861, 13 January 1909, Page 37

MINISTERS' SECRETARIES.

(From Our Own Correspondent ) WELLINGTON, January 7. The Hon. T. Mackenzie will be located in the old Ministerial residence in Molesworth stieet formerly occupied by Mr Seddon. His piivate secretary will be Mr L. E. Johnson, -who was with the Hon. R. M'Nab. Mr C. E. Matthews, who has been private secretary to Mr M'Uowan for nine years, will act in the same capacity for the Hon. ft. M Kenzie, and Mr J. W. Bla-ck (ex-e-ecietary to Mr M'Nab) will be associated iuth the Hon. D. Biuklo. Mr Me-.vhumey v, ill be Mr Hogg's secretary. THE NEW MINISTER OF LABOUR Tho appointment of Mr Hogrg to the position of Minister of Labour has by no means found favour among members of

the Employers' Association locally. Decided doubts are expressed as to the wisdom of the appointment. It was common knowledge, a member of the Employers' Asecciation remarked, that Mr Hogg's views were Socialistic in the extreme, and the present state of the industrial world ceorta:.nly demanded that a strong and fairminded man should hold the position of Minister of Labour. TJio opinion was that unless Mr Hogg modified his views very considerably indeed he would come into contact with employers in a very short time, and there would most certainly be trouble. Inquiry among several of the prominent figures in the labour movement in Dimedia elicited the opinion that, although Mr Hogg was i-ecognised as an achanccd man in the Socialistic movement, his inclusion in the Cabinet as Minister of Labour would not make a great deal qf difference to organised labour, as the lines laid down by the Government during- the past year would no doubt be strictly adhered to. One member said that, judging by the experience of other men holding views similar to the new Minister, and who had been elevated, Mr Hogg would have to sink his individuality ac a reformer and become part and parcel of the present capitalistic system and cease, to advocate those principles which he believed in.