CABINET VACANCY.

Star (Christchurch), Volume XLIV, Issue 694, 22 February 1933, Page 7

CABINET VACANCY.

Problem for Leaders of Coalition. MUCH SPECULATION. <“ Star " Parliamentary Reporter.) WELLINGTON, February 22. With the session of Parliament drawing to a close active interest is being displa}-ed by politicians in the pending selection of a Cabinet successor to the Hon W. Downis Stewart, who resigned from the Coalition Ministry because of differences on major political issues. There is considerable speculation as to who the new Minister will be. As Mr Stewart was a member of the Reform section the choice of the new appointee will lie with Mr Coates, the co-leader, who is probably well aware that the three strongest claimants for the one vacant Cabinet chair are Messrs A. D. M’Leod, A. E. Ansell and W. P. Endean. Mr M’Leod has, of course, had previous Ministerial experience, but there is reason to believe that his preferment would not be welcomed by a

considerable section of the Coalition, notwithstanding the part he played with the rural group in connection with the exchange issue. Although the member for Wairarapa is now strongly behind the Government it is not overlooked that at the general election he opposed the official Coalition candidate. It is likely that some of the Reform as well as all of the United section would oppose his selection. Strongest Claims.

The strongest “ claims ” —there are always “ claims ” on these occasions—unquestionably are those of Mr Ansell, who is one of the outstanding back benchers of the House. lie has the advantage of sound business training and represents what is virtually a city seat. His inclusion would be welcomed by those who deplore the overwhelming preponderance of farming representatives in the Ministry and the ruralminded trend of their policy. Mr Endean's strongest claim at the moment rests on the fact that he is a qualified barrister and, although youthful in the political sense, could easily administer the Attorney-Generalship. In addition, he could also take over the portfolio of Defence—a subject of which he has made an extensive study —and, if necessary, the administration of such other departments as Industries and Commerce or Internal Affairs. In point of service Mr J. Bitchener has the strongest “ claims,” but his selection is remote. The same applies to Mr H. M. Campbell, whose name is being canvassed in some quarters. Increase in Number? Speculations at present are complicated by the certainty that after the House adjourns the question of increasing the Ministerial personnel will be revived, although those closely in touch with the inner working of the political machine are hard pressed to advance any reasons for additional appointments, especially when it has been amply demonstrated that a Cabinet of ten strong has not been an overworked team. Mr Forbes has already indicated that it is not intended to increase the size of the Ministry, but this attitude would undoubedlv be subject to revision should Mr Coates insist that the appointment of two new members is in his view essential. The whole difficulty is to be found in the absence from the present Cabinet of a European Minister with legal training who could fill the AttorneyGeneralship. It has been suggested that the office might be given to Sir James Parr, Leader of the Upper House, but as this would mean the inclusion of two non-electecl members in the Ministry and raise a storm of protest throughout the country, equal possibly in volume to the hurricane of criticism the exchange manipulation produced, the speculation can be ignored practically without analysis. In addition, it is certain that such an appointment would precipitate open revolt among the rank and file of the Coalition. Territorial Representation. The inclusion of Mr Endean in the Ministry would appear to be the simplest solution of the difficult)*. On the other hand, there is the problem of territorial representation. With a North Islander included, the South Island would have two representatives only—Messrs Forbes and Hamilton. The aim conceivably could be to provide a more even balance between the two islands by increasing the southern proportion. This again is likely to be one of the arguments used for bringing the total membership to twelve. If it is decided to abandon the earlier economy idea, and increase Cabinet’s size to twelve. Reform would provide two of the new Ministers and the United Party one on the basis of two from the North and one from the South Island. In this event it is probable the Reform appointees would be Messrs Ansell (South Island) and Endean (North Island). The selection of a United representative would net be so easy. The “claims” of both Messrs A. J. Murdoch and S. G. Smith, two former Ministers, would have to be considered, but in the last analysis Mr Forbes might go further afield, and make his choice from Mr F. Lye, a practical farmer, and an ardent United supporter, or Mr A. E. Jull, whose local body administrative record before he entered the House was brilliant.