THE NEW CABINET.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXII, Issue 80, 1 April 1912, Page 6

THE NEW CABINET.

PORTFOLIOS LIE-ALLOCATED. iL'ei Press Association 1 Wellington, March 31. A slight rearrangement of Cabinet portfolios is announced. The control of the Government Printing Office is transferred to the Hon. G. W. Russell from the Hon. J as. Colvin, who. it is understood, desires to be relieved of the Postmaster-Generalship in order to devote more attention to t!fie Mines Department. It is probable that the Postmastarship rill be offered to the Hon. H. G. Ell. A precedent for an unpaid .Minister taking such a portfolio exists in the case of the present Premier, who, when he joined Sir Joseph Ward's Cabinet, in January, 1909, without salary, had charge of the Industries and Commerce Department, Tourist Department, Scenery Preservation Department and State Forests. J. Colvin arrived in Wellington on Saturday morning. NEW POSTMASTER-GENERAL. Christchurch, March 31. The Hon. 11. G. Ell, who was appointed a member of the executive without a portfolio, arrived in Christ* church on Saturday, and returned tc Wellington the same evening. Whilein Christchurch Mr Ell received advice that he.had been appointed Post-master-General, and also that he had been given charge of the National Annuities Fund. In an interview, Mr Ell said that he had received many congratulations on being elevated tc Ministerial, rank. It had been his deisirc to take some active pare in the administration of the affairs of the Dominion, and, therefore, it wa. with considerable satisfaction that h: received the appointment. He full; recognised that in succeeding Si Joseph Ward who ,vas one of th< leading postmasters-general in t'h< world, and certainly the most able ill Australasia, he had a very difficul. task before him. "Sir Joseph Ward,'' he said, "has, however, left the Department in such excellent working order that my work will be considerably lightened. I have a great-dea' to learn, and the first thing I am endeavouring to do is to get a thorough detailed knowledge of the Department Later on I purpose visiting each centre, with a view of making myself familiar with the various 'districts.'' Mi Ell added that while in Christ ciiureb he had had an interview wit] the chief postmaster, in order to ge! ; iho touch with what was being don< locally. He Imped to see the sloi telephone system installed in tin city. The chief postmaster intend ed to communicate with the tramway authuiities, with a view of having tin firs, machine installed in the tramwa; shelter. If the matter was arranged ana the public appreciated the con venience, oilier slot telephones wouk be ii stalled in other parts of th city. In connection with post:: affair*. Mr Ell said that he hoped +■ see fro house to house delivery ex tended wail into the country district; so: as t-, gdvi! country -people nil the' postal facilities possible then existing His poJLy was to extend the syston wherever- possible. While he did j:»t prf-jio-?"? to attempt • r-v/dfoltiouan cihang.\ h. l hoped to see gral'ial e.\ tension. Tl ere were one or iw. otuo'' m:ii<,'s he had in -rew, arc be world ccr.l'er late* with Hie •me tar.v ol the Department in Wriiirgton in order to get the advantage oJ h's k* r\»lodge and experience. ,