THE NEW MINISTER

Waikato Times, Volume 94, Issue 14598, 23 February 1921, Page 5

THE NEW MINISTER

PORTFOLIO OF SNTERNAL AFFAIRS TAKEN BY MR DONA NIK STEWART. ASSUMES OFFICE NEXT Month. By Telegraph.—Press Association. WELLINGTON. Wednesday. The appointment of Mr William Downie Stewart to the Minstry has bee i announced by (he Prime Minister. Mr Stewart will lake fhe portfolio of ti ternal \ffairs, also one dthcr portfolio yef to bo determined. Mr Stewart will be sworn in next week, and will t die up his duties next month. The Hon. W. Downie Stewart, th" new Minister for Internal Affairs, was born in Dunedin in ISTS. the younger son of the late Hon. William Downie Stewart. He was educated at the Otago Hoys' High School and Hie Olago University, where lie graduated as LL.B. in I Olio. In the same year he entered into partnership in the firm of Downie Stewart and Payne. In 1905 hi> unsuccessfully contested Dunedin South against Mr .1. F. Arnold. lb' was elected to the Pity Council in 1907, 1909, and 1911. In 1913 he was elected Mayor of Dunedin, after one of Ibe most strenuous contests on record. Mr Stewart was returned to Parliament for Dunedin West, in 191-1, and re-elected in 1910. In 1915 he volunteered fur service in the NewZealand Expeditionary Force, and after passing through the training camps in New Zealand, sailed on active service as a lieutenant. In 1916, he was invalided home, suffering from severe disability as the result of his seivices. Mr Downie Stewart has gained considerable distinelion as a writer on social subjects.