CABINET RECONSTRUCTION.

Otago Witness, Issue 3610, 22 May 1923, Page 43

CABINET RECONSTRUCTION.

APPOINTMENT OF A NEW MINISTER MR MASSEY AND THE CONFERENCE WELLINGTON. May 18. In view of the nearness of the meeting of Parliament for what may prove a. short but a very important session, people interested in politics are beginning to tals about the possibilities and the reconstruction of the Cabinet, which is imminent. It is evident that Mr Massey will have to call another member of his party to the Cabinet. I his is a necessity owing to the defeat of Mr Lee in the recent- Oamaru by-election. Already various members of the party are named as possible Ministers, but on this matter no definite information is available; all is surmise. It seems plain, however, that the new Minister must be a North Island man. The South Island has shown itself indifferent to having more representation in the Cabinet than it now has. It has turned down Mr Lee, one of the ablest Ministers, and a keen, incisive, and logical debater. It has also turned down Mr D. Jones, a potential Minister whose business acumen would have been of much value. _ Moreover, Mr Jones had proved himself one of the best- debaters in the Douse. His clear logic and incisive style has been remarked on by all who have had a long experience of New Zealand Parliaments. The question then arises as to who is likely to be appointed from among the North Island members. There are only three men whose claims may be considered. These are Mr R. F. Bollard, Mr J. A. Young, and Mr A. D. M'Leod, the member for Wararapa, and of these Mr Bollard and Mr Young have undoubtedly the best claims to the position. Mr Bollard has been one of if not the most successful Whips the Reform Party has - ever had. He is not a platform man, and seldom speaks in the House, but he is generally recognised as one of the shrewdest men on the Government side, and he is a man whose sound judgment is generally recognised. Mr Young, who has proved himself a model chairman of the Native Affairs Committee, is now one of the veterans of the House of Representatives. He is a most industrious member, and his claims cannot be altogether ignored. Mr M’Leod is one who commands respoct from all parties in Parliament. He is a man of quick perception and remarkably sound judgment, and is a homely but forcible speaker. He made a very excellent impression by his platform work in the Tauranga election. He has however, not had the same parliamentary experience as Messrs Bollard and Young. Without knowing-what is in the mind of the Prime Minister or the Cabinet, I feel inclined to predict that the choice will be between Messrs Bollard and Young. Cabinet reconstruction is always a difficult problem, and t-he appointment of a new Minister generally leads to heartburnings; but Mr Massey’s followers are, I think, loyal enough to fall in with any decision which he and his Cabinet may make. Owing mainly to Mr Guthrie’s breakdown there will, whatever happens in rc-spect to the appointment of a new Minister, have to be a reorganisation of the Cabinet. Mr Guthrie has undoubtedly been a martyr to duty as Minister of Railways and Lands, and Minister-in-charge of Soldier Settlement. He has during recent times had to carry a heavy load, and even if he retains a position in the Cabinet he could not be expected to again take up t-he burden of railway administration. For that position a strong, energetic, and forceful man is necessary, and the one who stands out prominently as the most desirable to take the portfolio is undoubtedly the Minister of Public Works (the Hon. J. G. Coates). Mr Coates, however, would have to be relieved of some of his other portfolios if he were appointed to such an important position, for though he is an extraordinarily hard and quick worker he could not very well deal with more than Railways and Public W orks, and perhaps Native Affairs. The Native race would, however, be very sorry to see him displaced as the head of the Native Affairs Department. Some other Minister would have to take up the position of Postmaster-general. The absence of Mr Lee- will necessitate the appointment of another Minister of Justice. The position is one that might very well be lilied by the. Hon. W. Downie Stewart, who has already proved himself not only a first-rate debater, but one of the ablest men in the House. He scored a remarkable success in getting the recent Customs tariff on the Statute Book, and though from time to time difficult problems may arise in that department it is now one that can be administered without great strain. Failing his taking the portfolio of Justice, it might be taken by Sir Francis Bell, who is at present acting, and Mr Stewart might be allotted the important. Department of Industries and Commerce. 'the question of Mr Massey’s proceeding to London to represent New Zealand at the Imperial Conference is one that will be settled soon after Parliament meets, and it is inconceivable that the House will not, by a satisfactory majority, agree to his going. If Mr Massey does go he will be the senior member of the conference. Mr Smuts did not come into office in Soutn Africa until after the war, and all the other Prime Ministers who will attend have come into office since the last conference. Mr Massey has had the experience, and he knows the work and the inen mo will be there. On every hand one hears decided opinions expressed that he should bo New Zealand’s representative. The one bit of carping criticism that has been heard, so far, came from Mr Wilford in a speech delivered hi his constituency last evening. But even Mr Wilford, while saying that Mr Massey was not the only mail who could represent New Zealand, did not say that Mr Massey should not- go; and there are members of his party, and prominent members, too, who think that Mr Massey should go He has served his apprenticeship, and is the man for the job. That is the popular verdict. This afternoon the Prime Minister, asked if he had anything to say in regard to Mr Wilford’s speech, simply remarked: “The thing is unworthy of notice.” As to Mr Wilford’s statement that the resolutions that are being passed throughout the country are inspired, that is absolutely without any foundation in fact. The resolutions have been entirely spontaneous.