THE WARD CABINET.

Waikato Times, Volume 104, Issue 17581, 10 December 1928, Page 7

THE WARD CABINET.

THE PERSONNEL. PROBABLES AND POSSIBLES. A MEASURE OF (Special to Times!) WELLINGTON, Monday. Considerable speculation is being indulged in regarding the probable personnel of Sir J. G. Ward's Cabinet. U is expected that the names will be submitted to His Excellency this afternoon, and that they will be sworn in to-morrow, in tlic meantime efforts are being made to guard closely the secret, Sir Joseph slating that the names fo the Ministers will not be disclosed until they are submitted to and have been appointed by His Excellency. One who is in close touch with affairs has, however, hinted that there arc 15 names in the running, nine being practically certain. These are:— Sir Joseph Ward (Prime Minister). Mr. G. W. Forbes (Hurunui). Mr. T. M. Wilford (Hutt)i Mr. E. A. Ransom (Pahialua). Mr. J. B. Donald (Auckland East). Mr. W. B. Taverner (Dunedin Sth.) Mr. H. Atmore (Nelson) Mr. W. A. Veltch (Wanganui). Sir Apirana Ngata (Eastern Maori). Possibles. The names mentioned as in the hunning for the completion of the I Cabinet are : Mr. A. J. Stallworthy (Eden). Mr. A. J. Murdoch (Marsden). Mr. P. A. de la Perelle (Awarua). Mr. J. G. Cobbe (Oroua). Mr. W. J. Poison (Stratford). Mr T. K. Sidey (cx-Member for Dunedin South, who will he culled to the Upper House. Of these six Messrs. Murdoch and de la Perelle are the two whose chances are least favourable. Notiiing whatever has been allowed to transpire as to who will hold the

various portfolios, and it would he idle to speculate under that head. It is generally thought that Mr. C. A. Wilkinson (Egrnont) would have been included in the Cabinet, hut his declaration of a determination lo maintain his independence of course is an effective barrier to Cabinet rank. Mr. H. Masters was mentioned as the Government’s representative in the Legislative Council, but Mr. T. Jv. Sidey is now the popular " tip.”

NEXT GENERAL ELECTION. NOT FOR TWO YEARS. CHRISTCHURCH, Saturday. The opinion that the new Government will be able to carry on and that there is not likely to he another general election for two years at the earliest was expressed to-day by Mr D. G. Sullivan, M.P.,.the senior Whip of the Labour Party. Mr Sullivan stated that Mr Coates, on behalf of the Reform Party, and Mr 11. E. Holland, on behalf of the Labour Party, had intimated that they would be guided in their attitude by the character of the legislation that Sir Joseph Ward brings down.

‘•There will be nu arbitrary or querulous opposition, but an absolutely honest judging on its merits of every matter that comes before • the House,” Mr Sullivan added.