THE CABINET.

Waikato Times, Volume 92, Issue 14361, 12 May 1920, Page 4

THE CABINET.

An early announcement is expected concerning the appointmeut of another Cabinet Minister. Mr J. B. Iline who previous to liio last eloction, held office as Minister for Internal Affairs, has been defeated for the Stratford sea', and while the Premier was fully justified in refraining from filling- the vacancy in the Ministry until Ihe result of the by-election was jlefinitcly ascertained, now Ihal it. has been decided there is no reason for any further delay. There, can be no question that, tho Cabinet requires strengthening if Hie work of the Slate is to be efficiently and expeditiously carried on. Mr Masscy is personally carrying' far too heavy aburden, and be owes it both to himself and his colleagues Ihal the burdens and responsibilities of office should be more f mutably distributed. While we admil that Mr Masse-.y iniisl be accorded an absolutely free hand injhe selection of his colleagues, we certainly cannot see any justification for raising, as has been "done, the geographical issue in reference to Ihe appointment. To infer Ihal. a Minister cannot do justice to a liistricl because bis personal interests lie elsewhere is to submit that be Is lacking in Ihe most essential attribute of a Minister, and for that reason alone, no mailer what his qualifications, he should not. he appointed. What the Dominion requires is the service? of.

the most competent men available, irrespective of their place of abode, and if they are eompetenl then it cam bo taken at once that Ihcy will accord :ill parts of the Dominion a fair deal. Our Wellington correspondent elsewhere mentions several probabilities, amongst whom is Mr J. A. Young, member for Waikato. Should the lot fall upon Mr Young the Cabinet would be materially strengthened in the administration of Native Affairs, for he has as Chairman of. the Native Affairs Committee ■ for several Parliaments, done excellent . work and is recognised as the best inmember of the House on matters pertaining to this important subject which in the near future will receive much more prominence in view of the persistent demand by local bodies for the taxation of Native lands. ' in this conneclion therefore, Mi Young would undoubtedly prove a most desirable Minister, and it. would be regrettable were lie, to be passed over simply because he is a resident of the North and not of the'South.