THE PRIME MINISTERS OPINION.

Otago Witness, Issue 2861, 13 January 1909, Page 36

THE PRIME MINISTERS OPINION.

"A STRONG COMBINATION." _____ i WELLINGTON, January 6. | The Prime Minister has made the foi- j lowing statement as to the new Ministry :— _ I "I think that upon the whole the j Ministry will be regarded as a representative one, and a strong combination. Naturally, I should have liked to have been able to include some of the other recognised able members of the party, but there is the limitation of nunibens. I recognised all along that the position was a very difficult one, and I have endeavoured to do the best possible, both in the interests of the country and of the important party of which I am head. " It will be seen upon a close analysis of the portfolios held by the various members of the Administration that an effort has been made to appoint to the various positions the men most capable of filling them. "I came to the conclusion shortly after the election that it would be necessary for me to hold the portfolios of Land and Agriculture. I have gone upon the ! principle that where the moat trouble exists the head of the Administration .should be prepared to accept whatever onerous duties attach to those positions, and am hopeful that I shall be able to carry out what I fully recognise to be a difficult task in the best inteiests of the country. "Mr Carroll's assumption 1 of the administration of the Cook Islands is on» the general fitnes? of which. I think, will be recognised. He has a wide knowledge of the duties required, and. moreover, is v«ry familiar with the Native questions that will crop up in connection with the administration of the islands, and I look for good results from him in this respect. '• As Minister for Railways Mr Millar, who is a strong man, will. I am sure, show that ability that has characterised his administration of the portfolios lie has held since he has been in the Government. I am also confident that he will administer the Maiine and hi& other departments with au equal degree of success. "The Hon. G. Fowlds.'' continued Sir Joseph Waid. " has done good work as Minister of Education, and he has now been given charge of the important Department of Immigration. He retires from hospital? and mental hospitals, and gives up public health also. He takes charge of the Fire Insurance Department, and I am confident that in the administration of that and the other new departments which have been entrusted to him he will display the same care and attention which have characterised his administration in the past. "It is iv accordance with the fitness of things that the Justice Department and Attorney-general should be combined, and th© Hon. Dr Findlay has now the whole of the legal depart ments under his administration. It will be recognised that they are in most capable hands. From the' Government point of view and that of the country it is better, I think, that the two branches dealing with law and justice should be under one control. "In Mr R. M'Kenzie the country has a strong man, of large experience in public woTks and mining matters, and I look forward with confidence to seeing these two great departments under his practical administration being managed for the general benefit of the community. " Mr Hogg, who is a very old member of the party, takes over the responsible duties as head of the Labour Department and the important Department of Customs, together with the extensive woik o* the Roads and Bridge 1 : Department. He is a

[ man of wide experience, and has a great i deal of practical commonsense, and I am 1 certain that he -will carry out the duties 1 attaching to what are in come respects very difficult departments in the best interest* ,of the people. His knowledge of the 1 printing business is such as to fully justify j the Printing Office being placed under his control. I "Mr Buddo is a practical farmer of | wide experience, and I feel sure that he will be able to successfully administer the ; Departments of Internal" Affairs and j Public Health to. the advantage of the country. j "Mr T. Mackenzie, who asumes control ! of Industries and Commerce, Scenery and ! Forestry, is a man of wide experience. He is> a strong man) and I look for good results from those departments under his administration. | '"The inclusion of Mr Ngata as a mem- ; ber of the Eecutive, representing the ! Maori race, should, I think, give wide | satisfaction. He is not only a highly educated man, but one whose instincts lead him along the right roads. Having the Maori councils under his jurisdiction will ensure great activity and vigour being [ applied in that branch of the work of the i country. His training as a lawyer will [ help him greatly in carrying on the imi portant work of the Public Trust Office. i It deals not only with European?, but i v/ith many divers interests closely connected with the Natives. " Naturally, the greatest regret I have in connection with the reconstruction of I the Ministry is the severance of my old ' friend and colleague the Hon. J. M'Gowan. Ever since he has been associated with i Ihe Government lie has been a man who has earned the personal regard of ail who have known him, but changing conditions call for alterations, which, on personal grounds, are greatly regretted. Mr M'Gowan's elevation to the Upper House I is a well-earned distinction, which no one ! will be able to cavil. It is unnecessary ' for me to say that he parts from myself i and his colleagues on the most friendly ' terms. There has been no unpleasantness ! of any sort or kind."