THE NEW MINISTRY.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXIX, Issue 8204, 7 August 1906, Page 5

THE NEW MINISTRY.

SIR J. G. WARD'S CABINET. J ALLOTMENT OP PORTFOLIOS. (Government Memo"). The following is the list of members of the -new Ministry, together with the portfolios allotted to each Minister:— HON. SIR J. G. WARD: Prime Minister, Colonial Treasurer, Postmaster-General, Commissioner of Telegraphs, Minister for Industries and Commerce, Minister in charge of International Exhibition. HON. W. HALL-JONES: Minister for Railways, Minister fur Public Works. HON. J. CARROLL: , Native Minister, Commissioner of Stamps and Deeds. HON. J. M'GOWAN: Minister for Justice, Minister for Mines, Minister for Immigration. HON. A. PITT: Attorney-General, Colonial Secretary, Minister for Defence. HON. J. A. MILLAR*. Commissioner of Customs, Minister for Labour, Minister for Marine, , HON. R. M'NAB: Minister for Lands, Minister for Agriculture. HON. G. POWLDS: Minister for Edaoation, Minister for Publia Health.

Sir Joseph Ward, who has succeeded the Hod. W. Hall-Jones in the Premiership, was, with bis colleagues, sworn in at Government House, yesterday afternoon, at 2.30 o'clock, in the presence of the Governor, Lord Plunket. In swearing in the Ministry as members of j the Exooutive Council, the Olerk of | the Council first administered the j following Oath of Allegiance: "1, Joseph George Ward, do swear that 1 will be faithful and bear true allegianoe to His Majesty King Wdward, his heirs and successors, according to law. So help me God." * j It is not the portfolio, but the seat on the Executive Council that is toe all-important item in the making of a new Ministry. There is a special oath necessary before taking this position, the following being the text of it, taken by all the members of the Ward Cabinet yes terday afternoon: — "1, ~ being chosen and admitted of the Executive Coonoil in New Zealand, do swear that I will, to the beat of my judgment, at all times when thereto required, freely give my counsdl and advice to the Governor, Lieutenant-Governor, or Officer Administering! the Government of New flZealand, for the time being, for the good management of the of New Zealand. That 1 will not directly nor indirectly - reveal such matters as shall be debated in Council nnd committed to my secrecy, but that I will in all thing be a true and faithful Councillor. So help me God." HON. R. MoNAB OONGRATU- . LATED. By Telegraph—Press Association. DUNEDIN. August 6. At a meeting of the University Counoil, this evening, on the motion ofMrT. K. Sidey, M.3.K., it was resolved, "That this Council tenders to the Hon. Robert MoNab its hearty congratulations on his being the first graduate of Otago to attain Ministerial honours." At the Otago University Mr MoNab took the degree of M.A. and LL.D., and took the senior scholarship in i mathematics of the University of New Zealand. GORE, August 6. The Hon R. MoNab is to be banquitted by his constituents, as a mark of their gratification on his elevation to Cabinet rank. J The fiuiction will be held at Gore on Tuesday, Augus 14fcb. Th* Premier, Hon. J. A. Millar, and the member for the district are to bo invited. It is worth uotiug that two successive representatives for Mataura, Messrs G. T. Richardsun and R. MoNab, have occupied the post of Minister of Lands. Another, coincidence is that the Hon. Mr MoNab's appointment was made on the fifth anniversary of the death of Sir John MoKeuzie.

SIR JOSEPH WARD INTERVIEWED. SESSION WILL NOT BE A PROLONGED ONE. WELLINGTON, August G. The allooatiou of departments to bo controlled by Ministers in addition to those etubraoed by their portfolios has been made as follows:—< Sir Joseph Ward, Old Age Pensions, Lkdcl and Imiome Tax, Advances to bottlers, Pufclio Trust, Tourist, and Health Resorts; Oon. W. Flail-Jones, Roads and Government Printing Office; Hon .A. Pitt, Life, Accident and Fire Insurance". Hon. J. A. Millar, Inspection of Machinery; Hon. R. MoNab, Lands Purchase under the Lands for Settlements Act, Forestry, and Valuation; Hon. J. MoGowan, Cook Islands; Hon. G. Fowlds, Hospitals and Charitable Aid and allied institutions. Interviewed to-night by a New Zealand Times representative, Sir Joseph Ward said: "I have endeavoured to give the colony a strong Ministry. 1 felt that in the interest of tbo country' this was desirable. If the Ministry is viewed individually and uolleotively 1 th'nk it will be seen that what has been done gives effeot to my intention. Some suggestions have been made about

the views entertained by different eeotioaEfof tho Ministry, but it moat be remembered that upon questions of polioy the majority of members of a Ministry deoide. I have no sympathy . with Hny effort to under-rate any one member of a Ministry on account of bis views on particular questions.. All the Ministers are men of com-mon-sense, practical knowledge, good judgment, and sterling ability. 1 feel confident that our united efforts will be,found to be exercised in advancing the interests of all.sections of the community.. I would i like to say that 1 am much indebted to my friends and old colleagues, Messrs Milla and Duncan, for the assistance they have given me. They hay.e acted in a way I will never forget, and were most corisidorate. As to the future, there is little I oan SBy just now. '1 he session will not be a prolonged one for several reasons. One is that the International Exhibition is to be opened on November Ist. I hope to bs able to bring "down the Picauoial Statement during the first week of tho, session. The matter of the appointment of n member of tho Maori race to "the Ministry has been held jbvei. Nothing will be done at present a& I want time to enquire into the position before deciding what to do. No one has a place iu the Ministry without a portfolio. The statement has been made that 1 have been telegraphing all over the colony making enquiries about the feeling towards Ministers. Tnis is not so. 1 have donejwhat"! believe to be best in the country's interests."