THE NEW CABINET

Otago Witness, Issue 3443, 9 March 1920, Page 23

THE NEW CABINET

TWO NEW .MINISTERS. WELLINGTON, March 3. The Prime Minister announces that the Hon. J. G. Coates has been appointed Minister of Public Works, Mr E. P. Lee Minister of Justice, and Mr C. J. Parr Minbter Of Education. In announcing the Cabinet changes Mr Massey said that Sir F. Dillon Bell and Sir W. F. Hemes had both expressed a desire to take a well-earned rest, but had consented to continue in office —at least through the coming session. In the course, of a long, important address to the Conference of Cnambers of Commerce to-day, the Prime Minister made reference lb the reconstruction of the Ministry, and announced the allotment of the portfolios of Public Works. Justice, and Education. iVTr Massey then referred to changes in other directions. He did not think it possible to appoint a Minister of Commerce with nothing eke to do than to attend to that department. It would bo unjust to other departments. He himself had seven departments under his control, and he did not complain of overwork. Sir William Herries had seven departments, Mr Guthrie four, Mr Coates five* and Sir Francis Bell seven. The Prime Minister foreshadowed at least two other changes. Sir William Herries and Sir Francis Bell had expressed a desire to retire, but he had induced them to stay at least through the coming session. ' Sir William Herries was a man of the clearest judgment, he said, and had obtained as Native Minister the complete confidence of the Natives. Similar reference was made to the services of the Leader of the Legislative Council, Sir Francis Bell. PERSONAL NOTES. (Fbom Odk Own Corhespomdent.J WELLINGTON, March 3. Possibly the most important point of the announcement made by""the Prime Minister to-day is that Mr Coates will take over the portfolio of Public Works, to be relinquished by. Sir William Fraser. Mr Coates is a young and energetic man, and as a county council chairman has had a good deal to do with public works. In the war he showed great capacity for dealing with men, and in the special course which he took with British officers in England he got one of the finest reports ever given in the school. As the head of an important department he made an excellent impression in the House last session. Even his political opponents ungrudgingly admitted that he shaped remarkably well. Mr Lee, it is understood, was previously offered Ministerial rank, but could not, for business reasons, then take a portfolio. Mr Lee is known as a sound lawyer and broadminded politician. Mr Parr is an Aucklander always taken a keen interest in education. He is energetic and .'n the prime of life. Sir .Francis Bell, who has helped Mr Massey greatly during the strain of important sessions and trying times, will also retire from tha Ministry, but'" not before the end of the coming session. CANTERBURY' CONGRATULATIONS. CHRISTCHURCH, March 3.

Mr D. G. Sullivan, M.P., secretary of the Canterbury members of Parliament, has sent the following telegram to Mr J. G. Coates, the new Minister of Public Works: "The Canterbury members of Parliament Committee congratulate you on _ your appointment as Minister of Public Works. We trust you will give Canterbury matters a just share of your attention. We _ specially commend to your notice, and in the national as well as the provincial interest, the urgency there exists of the completion of the East and West Coast railway. This work has proceeded at too slow a pace', and the dominion is losing £IOOO a week interest on the money t expended not yet revenue producing. We look to you to accelerate the completion of the work."