New Party in Power

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLVIII, Issue 3, 17 July 1912, Page 5

New Party in Power

Liberals Succeeded by Reform Party—Distribution of Portfolios — Preponderance of North Island Members

FOLLOWING on the defeat of the New Zealand Liberal party in the no-confidence division and the resignation of the Hon. T. Mackenzie and liis colleagues, the Hon. ;W. S'. Massey undertook the responsibility of forming a Ministry and entered into possession of the Treasury benches last [Wednesday. The change of party control was effected quietly, and with dignity, and though some general criticism Was indulged in bearing on the constitution of the new Cabinet, Mr Massey jand his colleagues were heartily congratulated on their accession to power. The allocation of portfolios is appended: HON. W. F. MASSEY: Prime Minister, [Minister of Lands, Minister Of Agriculture, Minister for Labour, Commissioner of State Forests, Minister in charge of Lands for "Settlement, Valniation, and Scenery Preservation Departments. Private secretary, Mr F. D. Thompson; assistant, Mr F. W.

IFurby. SION. J. ALLEN: Minister of Finance, Minister of Defence, Minister of Education, Minister in charge of Land and Income-tax Departments and State Guaranteed Advances Office. Private Secretary, Mr F. G. Matthews. HON. W. H. HERRIES: Minister for [Railways, Native Minister, and Minister in charge of Racing Permits. Private secretary, Mr L. E. Johnson. SON. W. FRASER: Minister of Public Works, Roads and Bridges, Minister pf Mines, Minister of Industries and Commerce, and Minister in charge of Public Buildings and Domains. Private Secretary, Mr J. H. McAlister. HON. A. L HERDMAN: AttorneyGeneral, Minister of Justice, Minister pf Stamp Duties, Minister in charge lof Police Prisons and Crown Law Drafting) and Public Trust [Departments. Private secretary, Mr E. N. G. Poulton. EON. F. M. B. FISHER: Minister of pustoms, Minister of Marine, Minister in charge of Inspection of Machinery, (Advertising, Government Printing and {Stationery, Legislative, State Fire Insurance, Government Life and Accident Insurance, Electoral, National Provident Fund, and Old Age Pensions department. Private secretary, Mr. . A. Hall. BON. H. D. BEIL, K.C.: Minister of Internal Affairs, Minister of Immigration, land Minister in charge of Audit Office, [Registrar-General, High Commissioner Museum, Friendly Societies and Labor atory Departments. Private secretary, Mr J. W. Black.

HON. R. H. RHODES: PoetmasterGeneral and Minister of Telegraphs, Minister of Public Health, Minister in charge of Hospitals, Charitable Aid and Mental Hospitals Departments. Private secretary, Mr W. Crow. EON. DR. POMARE: Member of the Executive Council representing the [Native Race, and in charge of Maori Councils, Cook and Other Islands Administration, and Tourist and Health [Resorts (including Rotorua Sanatorium and Hospital). Private secretary, Mr W. W. Polson.

Another minister without portfolio lias yet to be appointed, and it is prob able the honour will go to a Taranaki (representative in recognition of the support that province lias accorded the new Government-.

Hon. Janies Allen. The most seasoned member of the new Government is the Hon. James Allen. Twenty-five years ago he entered Parliament with the promise of a bright political future l>efore him, for he had Ousted the then Premier, Sir Roht. Stout, find showed indications o f developing all the qualifications of the master politician. The memlter for Bruce, however, has had io possess his soul in patience tor a quarter of a century ere it has

fallen to his lot to reach the Treasury benches. The vicissitudes of his party have not failed to leave their mark on its oldest member, and in recent years it The North Island is strongly represented in the new Cabinet, having six representatives, while the South Island has only three. The North Island Ministers are: The Hon. W. F. Massey (Franklin), Hon. W. H. Herries (Tauranga), Hon. A. L. Herdman (Wellington North), Hon. F. M. B. Fisher (Wellington Central), Hon. H. D. Bell (Wellington), and the Hon. Dr. Pomare (Western Maori). The South Island Ministers are the Hon. Jas. Allen (Bruce 1 ), Hon. Heaton Rhodes (Elleslias been a frequent taunt from "the Libe.ral side that he is the greatest pessimist in the House. Certain it is that Mr Allen, while a keen debater, has never possessed the saving grace of humour. On matters affecting finance, railways, education and defence, lie has always been accepted as an authority, and his long political training should now stand him in good stead in the administration of those departments, which it has for 25 years been his lot to criticise. The new Minister was ‘born in South Australia in 1855. He was educated at Clifton College, Bristol, and St. John’s College, Cambridge, afterwards entering the Royal School of Mines, gaining high scholastic honours in his younger days. He also distinguished himseM on the athletic field, being included in the Cambridge Rugby fifteen. Mr Allen landed in New Zealand in 1858, and previous to entry into practical politics took an active part in the municipal affairs of Dun edin. He has taken an active .part in educational affairs in Otago, having filled the Vice-Chancellorship of the University of Otago. As one of the keenest and most enthusiastic volunteers, he has done yeoman service in the movement, in New Zealand, and for some time was Lieu't.Cblonel in command of the Otago Division of the New Zealand Garrison Artillery Volunteers. One of Sir Joseph Ward’s last acts as Minister of Defence was to recognise the long service of his political opponent and to issue to him the coveted long-service reward. Upon initiation of the Territorial scheme Mr Allen volunteered to take the public platform throughout New Zealand on behalf Of the movement.

Hon. W. H. Herries. The Hon. W. H. Herries, popular on both sides of the House, and regarded as one of the most liberal members of the Reform party, represented the Bay of Plenty continuously between 1896 and 1908, when he was returned for the new electorate of Tauranga. A graduate of Trinity College, Cambridge, he arrived in New Zealand in 1881, at the age of 25 years, settling in the Te Arolia district, where he has resided ever since. The new Minister has long been known for his association with the control of recing, having been a representative of the Auckland county clubs at the New Zealand Racing Conference since 1897. He was also a member of • the Racing Cum mission last year. Mr Herries has the distinction of being a fellow of the Geological Society of London. As a politician the member for Tauranga has been looked upon as an authority on native land laws, and has occupied the position of chairman of the Native Affairs Committee. Another subject which lie has closely studied is that of working railways, and his opinions regarding the affairs of both these departments have always commanded the respect of both sides of the House.

Hon. A. L. Herdman. The Hon. A. L. Herdman is one of the imposing figures of the House. He looks the politician; clean shaven, hair grey at the temples, with strong, if somewhat stem features. A trenchant critic, able in debate, sound in argument, the now Minister has always been one of the most formidable men to cross swords with in Parliament. He is a comparatively young man, Ixfing 43 years of age. He was educated in Otago, end ns a lawyer has worked up a big practice in Wellington. lie represented Mt. Ida

for three years, and was then defeated. In 1908, however, he was returned for Wellington North, and last October was again elected by a substantial majority. Hon. F. M. B. Fisher.

Something of a stormy petrol in politics, the Hon. Francis Marion Bates Fisher may quieten down a little under the weight and cares of office. When Mr. Massey's party was to be counted on the fingers of two hands, Mr. Fisher posed as an Independent, and sat amongst the Government members, his seat being located between that of Messrs. T. M. Wilford and C. Izard, two prominent Liberals. After the 1908 general election, liowever, Mr Massey returned with a much more impressive following, and Mr Fisher decided forthwith to throw in his lot with that leader's party. Like his father, the late Mr. George Fisher, the new Minister is a good speaker. He is only 35 years of age, and was educated at the Wellington College. Like the majority of other members of the Ministry, he is a military enthusiast, and was second in command of the second battalion of the Tenth Contingent -in South Africa. He was returned for Wellington Central at a by-election in 1905. He is a keen athlete and champion tennis player, holding several New Zealand cbampicmsliips, and having been rirrmer-up for the Australasian chtimpionships of 1906-7, Mr. Fisher is regarded as one of the most able platform speakers in New Zealand, and has been the sharpshooter of the Massey party. He figured prominently as a member of the new Libe.ral party, led by the late Mr. T. E. Tayloi, only throwing in his lot with the Reform party after the 1908 election, when he was christened the “baby” of the party. On the land question Mr. Fisher is a strong leaseholder. Hon. M. Pomare

Dr. Mani Pomare, the representative on the new Cabinet of the native race, is politically the youngest member of the Ministry, having only been elected in December last. His political attitude jnst prior to the February session was the subject of considerable speculation, and it was not until the Reform rally at Feilding two days before the session opened that he declared himself definitely as a supporter of Mr. Massey. Dr. Pomare, who has Moriori blood in his veins, was a brilliant student of Te Ante College, and he gained his M.D. degree at Chicago (U<S.A.j in 1901. He was appointed health officer to the Maori race, from which post he retired with the view of entering the political arena.

Hon. H. D. Bell K.C. The new Leader t»f the Upper HeuhW (Mr. H. D. Bell) is the eldest son Of Sir Francis Dillon Bell, and was born nt Nelson in 1851. After receiving his early education in New Zealand, he obtained his B.A. degree at St. John’s College, Gnmhridge, in 1872, and was called to the Bar at Middle Temple, London, in 1874. Four years later he was appointed Crown Solicitor at Wellington. As senior partner of the law firm of Bell, Gully, Bell and Myers, he has always held a high position in the legal circles of the Dominion. Mr. Bell was thrice Mayor of Wellington, and unsuccessfully contested the Wellington Seat in 1890 and again in 1892. At the general election in the following year, however, he won a Wellington seat, which he held for the term of the Parliament. He was appointed a King’s Counsel in 1897.

Mt. W. Fraser. Mr W. Fraser is a steady, sound debater and a wise counsellor. He is an experienced politician, with a remarkable knowledge of the country’s wants, and is particularly sound on matters of finance. Mr Fraser is the son of a captain of the Madras Light Cavalry, and was born in India. He camo to New Zealand in 1858 and engaged in pastoral pursuits in Central Otago, He has been a member of the House for many years.

Mi’. R. H. Rhodes. Mr R. H. Rhodes, the member for Ellesmere, was born at Turan, Lyttelton, on February 27, I*B6l. He was educated in New Zealand and in England, and is n graduate of Brssenoso College, Oxford. Mr Rhodes unsuccess fully contested the Heathcote seat against. Mr W. W. Tanner in 1890. II ■ married in 1891, and eight years Inter nnccewsfully contested the Ellesmere scat, which be has since hold. The member for Ellesmere bos done splendid ser-

vice in the past as Whip to t’ne p-.rty He has devoted a great deal of tim. to the defence movement. For s>m years he was captain of that cr •••’< corps, the Canterbury Yeomanry Cav airy. He served with the New Zealand troops in the South African War. an I received the Queen’s Medal and four clasps.