COALITION MINISTRY

Wairarapa Daily Times, 19 July 1934, Page 5

COALITION MINISTRY

RECONSTRUCTION FORECASTED WELLINGTON, This Day. Early reconstruction of the Coalition Ministry appears to be inevitable in the light of the official intimation given last night of the contemplated retirement from Cabinet, or from administration of important portfolios, of the Hon. A. Hamilton, Postmaster-Gen-eral, Minister of Employment, Labour and Tourist and Publicity. Mr Hamilton’s medical advisers have prescribed for him a complete rest for at least the remainder of the session. He stated last night he had informed the Prime Minister of the position. His doctor had said his recovery depends on entire freedom from mental strain and exertion and both had agreed the medical advice should be folloAved. It is understood that Mr Hamilton himself suggested to the Prime Minister that his resignation from the Ministry was the best course to follorv, but the Prime Minister’s colleagues, in preference to losing the services of Mr Hamilton, indicated the possibility of his being relieved of all Ministerial duties until his health recovered. Another suggestion Avas that he be relieved of all portfolios except the Post-master-Generalship Avith the object of distributing other portfolios among the remaining Ministers, and a third course suggested Avas that the strength of Cabinet should be increased to tAvelve, involving the appointment of a neAV Reform and a neAv United Minister. Partial consideration of the question had already been given by Cabinet, but the position has not yet been reached at Avliich an official announcement can be made. -