CABINET RECONSTRUCTION

Waikato Times, Volume 92, Issue 14361, 12 May 1920, Page 5

CABINET RECONSTRUCTION

ONE NEW MINISTER. MR. J. A. YOUNG MENTIONED. TEN MINISTERS THE TOTAL. (By Telegraph.—Special to Times.) WELLINGTON, Tuesday. If Cabinet cares had not been so pressing the Prime Minister would have accompanied the Prince of Wales on his Southern visit, but there is too much of urgenl national business requiring attention. To-day was the first opportunity after [lie Prince's departure from Wellington, ami Mr'Massey appears to have consulted members of Cabinet regarding a possible re-arrangement of portfolios, consequent on the appointment of a new Minister, which may be announced in a few days. Although repatriation and till oversight of Samoa are important new spheres of Ministerial responsibility, it is a certainty that Mr Massey will carry on with a total of ten Ministers. Thus there is i illy one appointment to be made. The Premier will permanently hold Finance, and, however much he might desire to dispose of Railways, he will be obliged to carry that heavy burden in addition until staff-conditions arc more normal. At least three members of his party are spoken of in connection with the vacancy—Mr Young (Waikato), whose special subject is native affairs; Mr Anderson (Mataura), and Mr Malcolm (Chairman of Committees), whose knowledge of educational mattes would have made him a more likely aspirant if that portfolio was not already very definitely placed. Mr Malcolm may have ,to be satisfied with' a renewal of his important position of Chairman of Committees, and the probabilities are that this will happen, and the appointment go to Mr Anderson, so as to make [.he Ministry better balanced in a geographical sense, as four Ministers already come from Auckland province. There is a suggestion among local Reform supporters that Wellington should have it* turn, but seniority will count against Or Newman or .Mr Luke. However the Premier solves the problem, it must 'cause perturbation in his party, and i! does not seem thai be cau unearth any financial authority to relieve him of the task left by Sir .lames Allen.