THE- MINISTRY.

Colonist, Volume LVII, Issue 13815, 9 July 1915, Page 4

THE- MINISTRY.

A REABRANGEMENT.

MR. ALLEN RELIEVED OF TWO

PORTFOLIOS

NATIONAL CABINET IDEA

(From ora own CoiiitEsroNDENT.)

WEijington, July 8

Following, a caucus of the Government party.which lasted for nearly three hours, the Prime Minister made the following statement: — "I have been authorised to continue negotiations with the Leader .of the Opposition in regard to the formation of a national Cabinet." Your correspondent asked the Prim© Minister subsequently if he intended putting before Sir Joseph Ward a fresh proposal. "The initiative rests with the Leader of the J^ouaOj am? I don't intend tr> divest myacJS of any responsibility,"replied we Prime Minister. "Yon v/iH therefore make a further offer r^' .the interviewer suggested. "Negotiations will be continued. Leave it at Ibat," replied Mr. Massey. The Fj-ltno Minister also announced that the lion. James Allen will be relieved of the portfolios of Education (which goes te Sir Francis Bell) and Finance, {which the Prime Minister will take). Continuing, tie Prime Minister said.: •'lt is well Known, of course, that Sir Frarcjs Bel} has been administering the Ediwatkin Department for some time am 3 iho Hon. R. Heriton Rhodes has Been giving much assistariGo to the Defence Minister. I will now take over the greater :pavt of the administration of Finanw,. .Mr Allen will deliver- tho Financiai 9iai«mont, which is now almost wady Iqt delivery."