THE NEW CABINET.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXII, Issue 79, 30 March 1912, Page 6

THE NEW CABINET.

: MR WITTY DECLINES. V lV » (Per Press Association.) ■ Christchurch, March’ 29. Mr G. Witty, member for Riccnrton, was invited to join the Ministry, but declined. ■ Surprise is expressed locally at the liumler ,of Canterbury Ministers, but the reception of the arrangement on the whole is cordial. ~.-v TEE NATIVE IkIINiISTER. Wellington, March 29. A meeting of the newly-construct-ed Ministry was held this morning, and discussed matters in detail, including the allotment of private secretaries. ! In denying the statement that he demanded full Ministerial rank, Mr Ngata informed the Post that he had never made any such demand. “My desire to retire from a. position as a member of the executive was,” he says, “known to Sir Joseph Ward, Sir James Carroll, Mr Mackenzie, and my Maori;colleagues many weeks ago, and I strongly urged my friend Te Rangihiroji’s claims to succeed me.” THE PRIME MINISTER’S VIEWS. Wellington, March 29. Interviewed by a Post reporter this afternoon as to whether he had a manifesto to give the public, the Hon. T. Mackenzie replied: “No. I have been so fully occupied that I have not thought of any political manifesto. However, I san say that we will devote ourselves unsparingly to the closer settlement of our country,- to the development of our agricultural and pastoral • interests, to fonrtlfding our 'mining, and to promoting and fostering ohr trade manufactures, both here and abroad, and to improving the conditions of our people. Wo desire to settle down to solid work, to deal with questions which really affect the progress of our country; to give, in short', practical substance and not party ihadow. .The Country has for the past six'months been'in the throes' of political unrest, and we believe' that the people are tired of the party wrangling® which have been going on to the overshadowing of the proper consideration and promotion of great national interests, interests which we should all have so closely at heart. I have confidence .that the people of this Dominion; will appreciate a party that will quietly and resolutely settle' down to doing the work the eohntry requires to he done. My colleagues, although new to Ministerial rank, are well known as'zealous and capable r public”men,": who have filled many important public ,ppsitipns, fpv, years past. 1 They are also ’recognised as enthusiastic men, who;will.bring: their best energies to hear on ’the departments j committed to their care. Ail' I ask ! at this time is that the people of New Zealand should suspend their judgment until the new administration has had a reasonable oportunity to, justify its existence. If that is ddne, T have no fear of the result.” j ——rrrrr*r iWcllingten,‘"March” 29:' ' The following is the allocation of private' secretaries-/ tothe- new Ministers:—Mr. L. Johnson remains secretary to the Son. Thas. Makenzie, and has with him Mr H. GVocott, who was till lately with Sir. .Joseph Ward. Mr F. Thomson, lately with Hen. .J. A. Millar,,: will, be attached to Hon. A. M Myert.' ; Mr F. Matthews, lately with Sir Joseph Ward, and with him Mr Balneavis lately with Mr'Ngata,Twill ,b-; artaenod to Hon. W. D. S.i Macdonald. Mr E. 1'oulton; lately, with Sir J. G. Findlay, will he attached to Hon. G. Laurenson, Mi‘ j. Black, lately with Hon. D. Buddo, /will- be attached to Hon. G. W. Rut'iell. Mr W .'Crow, lately wit! Hon. ’G. Fnwids, will 1 o attached to Hon. G. Ell, who, it is under-' stood," : will* Relieve Eon. J. Colvin of the duties of Postmaster-General. M" J. McAllister, lately with Hon. R. McKenzie, will be attached to Hon. J, Colvin. Th'« other appointments have yet to be made. INTERESTING INTERVIEWS. Christchurch, March 29. Mr' George Witty, M.P., who returned this morning from Welling-ton,-'was asked by a reporter for his opinionls I regarding the new Ministry, but he declined to criticise Mr Mackenzie’s selection. Asked why he himself had 'been left out of the Ministry { "Mr Witty said, “I had an opportunity to join the Cabinet, liut I declined.” He was asked if he would give his reasons for refusing office, but he would not allow himself to be drawn. Mr G. R.i Whiting, who was the Labour candidate for Christchurch South, in opposition to the Hon. H. G. Ell,' made some interesting com-1 meats about the now Cabinet. “Viewed from the! standpoint of labour,” Mr Whiting said, “the new Cabinet is very little, if any, better than the old Cabinet. There may ho new ministers like the Hon. G. Lauren son ami the Hon. J. |A. Hunan with progressive ideas, but on the other hand we have a Prime Minister who, I understand, is a free trader and freeholder. That is not at all satisfactory from our standpoint. As one who has taken a great interest in political questions for many years, and as one desirous of seeing the conditions improved for the masses, I do . not'think that any Ministry .will bo satisfactory to the great body of the workers other than a Labour Minisry. Th fight; of the future must be between Labour and anti-Labour.” Mr" Whiting .said that he did not think that the Labour members would

support a general no-confidence motion against the new Ministry unless the defeat of the Government woull result in a more progressive Min stry taking charge. The new Ministry appeared to be a compromise between the freeholders and the leaseholders. The last-named could expect nothing from the Hon. T. Mackenzie, and the freeholders could not expect to realise their goal under a Ministry which had apparently compromised on the land question. His opinion was that matters political would remain in a very unsatisvetory condition until there was another appeal to the country. That appeal, he believed, would have to bo made iu the near future, HON. T. BUXTON. Timaru, March 29. . The Hon. T. Buxton has received many congratulatory messages. Interviewed, he said ho accepted office in the hope of being able to usefully serve the farming community. He mentioned especially the reciprocal tariff with Australia on farm produce. If offered a portfolio later he would prefer that of commerce and agriculture. Mr Buxton has been urged to accept nomination foi another term as Mayor of Touvaka, i.nt has declined. , MR MILLAR. Wellington, March 30. Mr Millar intends to visit Sjdney shortly ,and mould have left yesterday had not the political crisis detained him. On taking farewell of his personal staff as Minister foi Railways, he was presented by them with a silver inkstand and an i ffice clock.