RECONSTRUCTION OF MINISTRY.

Colonist, Volume LXII, Issue 15317, 4 March 1920, Page 5

RECONSTRUCTION OF MINISTRY.

STATEMENT BY MR. MASSEY

[Per United Press Association.]

Wellington, March 3. In the course of a long and important address to the Conference of the Chambers of Commerce to-day, the Prime Minister made reference to the reconstruction of the Ministry, and announced the allotment of the portfolios of Public Works. Justice, and Education. The new appointments'announced were: Minister of Public Works, the Hon. J.G. Coates at present Postmaster-General and Minister of Justice; Minister of Justice, Mr E. P. Lee, member for Oamaru; Minister of Education, Mr C. J. Parr, member for Eden. Mr Massey then referred to changes in other directions. He did not think it possible to appoint a. Minister of Commerce with nothing else to do than to attend to that department, as it would be unjust to other departments. He himself had seven departments under* his control, and he did not complain of overwork. Sir W. H. Heiiies had seven departments, Mr Guthrie four. Mr Coates live, and Sir Francis Bell seven. The Prime Minister foreshadowed' at least two other changes. Sir W. H. Merries and Sir Francis Bell had expressed the desire to judgment, he said, and had obtained as at least through the coming session. Sir •W. H. Herrics was a man of the clearest judgment, he ssii d,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.