THE NEW CABINET.

Waikato Times, Volume 110, Issue 18441, 23 September 1931, Page 7

THE NEW CABINET.

SECRECY AS TO CHOICE. UNEMPLOYMENT ADMINISTRATION. A CHANGE FORESHADOWED. (Special to Times.) WELLINGTON, Tuesday. The greatest secrecy was maintained until this morning as to the final choice of the Cabinet personnel, chief interest centring upon the competition for the final place between Mr R. A. Wright and Mr J. A. Young, both of whom had served well in the previous Reform Ministry, and whose chances, apart from geographical considerations, were regarded as equal. Strangely enough the members themselves were In the dark as to the final decision of the party chief, and it was not until Mr Young was ultimately sent for at noon that the intentions of Mr Coates were fully disclosed. Within the limitations of the present Parliament, the new team is regarded as the most suitable one available for the task. It is significant that with producers’ problems well to the fore at present, there are five farmers in the new Cabinet, supported by two lawyers, two merchants, and one dentist, while one of the lawyers and the dentist are both engaged in farming at present, This, it is considered, should ensure a thorough appreciation of farmers’ affairs, and allow close application to their problems. In fact, the only criticism so far advanced about the new Government is that city interests seem to have little representation. It is believed the Independents made certain overtures for representation with one seat in the Cabinet, but according to the original arrangement, the Coalition was one purely between the Reform and United Parties, and as the men available were considered to be able to handle the job, these overtures produced no result. Development and Settlement. A change in administration of unemployment is foreshadowed bv the appointment of the Right Hon. J. G. Coates to the chairmanship of the Unemployment Board, a position hitherto held by the Minister of Labour. It is believed public works, development and settlement will be among the chief features of the programme now being designed for submission to the board, a programme which is calculated to be spread over a period of years with the ultimate purpose of absorbing the unemployed in place of spasmodic bursts of relief work with disastrous inroads into tho limited funds available. Mr Forbes expects the programme to be ready by the time the House meets again, hut Mr Coates was cautious in the Chamber this evening when he interjected that at least sufficient should he ready to enable the House to go ahead on it.