MR COATES TO TAKE CHARGE OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS MATTERS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18453, 2 May 1928, Page 3

MR COATES TO TAKE CHARGE OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS MATTERS.

PRIME MINISTER WILL HAVE CONTROL OF SAMOA Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, May 1. An important reorganisation of the Department of External Affairs has been decided upon by the Government, resulting in the transfer of the portfolio to the Prime Minister (the Right Hon J. G. Coates) and the appointment of Mr C. A. Berendsen. Imperial Affairs Officer, as permanent secretary. Details of the change were announced by the Prime Minister to-day in connection with the retirement of Mr J. D. Gray from the position of Secretary of the Department of External Affairs. Mr Coates said that Mr S. J. Smith, who had held the position of chief clerk to the Department for a number of years, would now become Secretary of the Cook Islands Department, while Mr C. A. Berendsen, in addition to his duties as Imperial Affairs Officer of the Prime Minister’s Department, would assume the duties of Secretary of the Department of Ex ternal Affairs. Mr Smith would continue to act in his capacity as chief clerk of the Department of External Affairs in conjunction with his new duties as secretary of the Cook Islands Department. There would be, of course, no alteration in the Ministerial administration of the Cook Islands Department. which has been under the charge of the Hon Sir Maui Pomare for many years. The effect of the reorganisation is that the portfolio of External Affairs is now transferred from the PostmasterGeneral (the Hoir W. Nosworthy) to the Prime Minister, and that the administration of Samoa will come directly under the control of the latter. Mr Nosworthy retains the portfolios of Postmaster-General, Telegraphs and Immigration, and the position of Minister in Charge of the Legislative, Tourist and Health Resorts, Government Life, State Fire and Public Service Superannuation Departments.