CABINET APPOINTMENTS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 12734, 2 September 1919, Page 3

CABINET APPOINTMENTS.

VACANCIES FILLED. ; THE PREMIER'S ANNOUNCEMENT [From Orb Cobrespojtdbst.] WELLINGTON, September 1. It was only after two more Cabinet sittings to-day that, the Prime Minister was able to meet his followers to-night • with something definite to annnrnyv* in f the way of ministerial appointments. ’ When the caucus ended it was stated that all had gone merry as a marriage bell so far as the proceedings were corr ■ cerned, but there- had been certain , hitches in fixing up all the new Cabinet [ appointments. Mr Massey's statement that Ma-jor j Hine and Mr Nosworthy, the present ■ Government Whip, had” both accepted. [ Cabinet rank was nothing of » surprise. as it was recognised that the promotion ■ of the soldier member would be popn- < lar, and that Mr Nosworthy had a big • claim owing to his position in the party. > It is a coincidence also that botii the i new Ministers were elected first at the 190S general elections and hay© held ‘ their seats con tin will sly since. , PORTFOLIOS REFUSED. : _ it is understood on excellent author- , ity that ministerial seats were also offered to Captain Coates, of Kaipara, and Mr Lee. of Oamaru. bnt they each declined ministerial rank, while the ■ Premier is negotiating with two other members, one of whom is Mr W. H. Field, of Otaki. These gentlemen, how- ! ever, require a little time to consider the offer > Meanwhile there has been n ome shuffling of portfolios among old Ministers. ■ Mr Herries relinquishes Railways to Mr ■ Massey, retaining the portfolio of Nsr- ■ tive Affairs while Mr Massey gives up ’ Finance to Sir James Allen. "