CABINET VACANCY.

Waipawa Mail, Volume LIV, Issue 85, 7 April 1933, Page 3

CABINET VACANCY.

EARLY ANNOUNCEMENT LIKELY. LEADER’S DIFFICULTIES. WELLINGTON, This day. An early announcement of the appointment of a new Minister to succeed the Hon. W. Downie Stewart may be expected. The Governor-Gen-eral will leave Wellington next Monday on his way to Samoa and the Cook Islands, and it is likely that the new member of Cabinet will be sworn in before then. Close secrecy is still being observed as to the intentions of the Government, but it is known that the task of making the selection has not been without its complications. It was confidently predicted some time ago that the choice would fall on the member for Chalmers (Mr A. E. Ansell), but it is now suggested that Mr Aiisell’s chances are not as bright as they were. If territorial considerations are taken into account, the new Minister will be a South Island, member, hut it is said that this consideration may be discounted. In addition to Mr Ansell, South Island members who are supporters of the Reform Party are Mr T. D. Burnett (Temuka), Mr J. Bitchener (Waitaki), Mr J. Hargest (Invercargill), Mr H. S. S. Kyle (Riccarton), and Mr K. J. Holyoake (Motueka). Messrs Hargest and Holyoake are both political novices and are not likely to be considered for Ministerial office yet awhile. Mr Bitchener has been a loyal party man for a number of years and is senior Whip of the Reform Party. Mr Kyle has not hesitated on occasions to criticise the Government strongly and even to vote against it, and this may prove a stumbling block to his preferment.

North Island members who are considered to be in the running are the Hon. A. D. McLeod (Wairarapa), Mr J. A. Nash (Palmerston), Mr H. M. Campbell (Hawke’s Bay), and Mr W. P. Endean (Parnell). Should the Government decide to appoint a lawyer to take over the AttorneyGeneralship, at present held by the Prime Minister, the choice would no doubt fall on Mr Endean.

The possibility of dissension in the Coalition ranks if the appointment made is not approved cannot be overlooked, and it is stated that indications have already been given that if the appointment goes to a junior member of the Reform Party'—Messrs Ansell and Endean are both comparatively young members—there may be trouble in the camp. This possibility may lead the Government to compromise on the appointment of one of the older members of the Reform Party.