CABINET RECONSTRUCTION

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2393, 7 January 1909, Page 5

CABINET RECONSTRUCTION

THE NEW MINISTERS.

ALLOTMENT OF PORTFOLIOS

(Press Association.)

- WELLINGTON, Jan. 6. The reconstruction of the Ministry \va,s announced this afternoon. The Hon. Jas. -McGowan is retired and elevated to the Legislative Council. Messrs 11. McKenzie. Hogg, Buddo, T. .Mackenzie, mid (Ngata are added to the Executive. The portfolios are allotted as follows :

Sir J. G. Ward—Minister of Finance, Postmaster-General, Minister of

Defence, 'Minister of -Lands, Agriculture and Land - for Settlement, Land and Income Tax, Electoral Department, .and Advertising DeLi on. James Carroll- —Minister of Native Affairs, Minister of Stamps and Deeds. -Minister in charge of Cook Islands, Advances to Settlers

Department. Hon. J. A. Millar—Minister of Railways, Minister of v Virme, Minister in charge of Friendly Societies, and Inspection of Machinery De-

partment. . Hon. G. Fowlds —-Minister of Education, Immigration, Mental Hospitals and Fire Insurance Department.

Hon. Dr. Findlay—Attorn 1 ey-General. Minister for Justice, Minister iu

charge of Crown Law Department. Hon. It. McKenzie-—Minister of Public Works and Mines.

Hon. A. W. Hogg—Minister of Labor and Customs, and m charge of the Hoads and Bridges -and Government Printing Office. Hon. D. Buddo—Minister of Internal Affairs, Minister of Public Health.’ in <‘hargo of Valuation Department an<l Old Age Pensions. Hen. T. Mackenzie-—Minister of Industries} land Commerce- (without pav). and of Tourist and Scenery and Forest Department. Mr. Ngata- joins the -Ministry us member of the Executive, representing .the native race. He will be given charge of the Public Trust Department, Government Insurance Department, Accident Insurance, and Maori Council. The Hon. A. T. Ngata -will receive the. £4OO already provided for by Act of Parliament for an additional members of the Native race in the- Executive. Messrs „N gat t and T. Mackenzie were not- sworn in to-day, the former its delayed at Gisborne by the illness of his wife. The latter . arrives from the. South in the morning and will be then sworn.

THE LATE EXECUTIVE.. The late Executive Council was composed as follows. His Excellency the Governor presiding:— Hi. Hon. Sir Joseph George Ward, P.C., K.C.M.G-—Prime Minister, Minister for Finance. PostmasterGeneral, Minister of Telegraphs. Minister of Defence and Minister of Tourist and Health Resorts. Hon. W'm. Hall-Jones —-Minister for Railways and Minister for Public Works. Hon. James Carroll— Native Minister ?ud Minister of Stamp Duties. Hon. Jas. McGowan—Minister of Justice. Minister of Mines. Minister

of Industrie-; and Commerce, and : Minister of Immigration, lion. .J. G. Findlay.- K.C.,L.P.D. —At-torney-General and Minister of Internal Affairs. Hon/ J. A. Millar—Minister of Customs. Minister of Labor, and Mins'iter of Marine. Hon. R. McNab—-'Minister of Lands and for Agriculture. ■lon. Geo. Fowlds—Minister of Education and Minister of Public Health. A similar position to that now given to Mr. Ngata was held by the Hon. J. Carroll, under fim late Right Hon. R. J. Sodden. Mr Carroll afterwards received 1 full Cabinet rank in 1900. After that date the Hon. Mahuto Tawhiao Potatau to W herowhero hold a .similar office, but on the reconstruction of the Ministry by Sir Joseph Ward after Mr. Seddon’s death, the position was allowed to lapse.

THE NEW MINISTRY. NOTES AND COMMENTS. [Special to ‘'‘Times.’’] . ’WELLINGTON, Jan. G. In reorganising his Cabinet Sir J. G. Ward seems to have, gone on the principle that in a multitude of councillors there is wisdom, for though Mr McGowan’s resignation was expected, it was not generally anticipated that there wo-uld be live now Ministers. Mr McGowan not- only abandons his portfolios, hut he also has resigned his seat as a member for the House of Representatives. He is getting up in years and has enough of this world's goods, and it was no secret that he was desirous of getting out of harness. It Is a curious thing that no Englishman or Irishman is represented in Sir -Joseph Ward's new choice. The two Maes and Messrs Hogg and Buddo form a quartette of (Scotchmen. This makes the Cabinet more than ever a Scottish one, seeing that Messrs Millar, Fovvlds, and Findlay have got Scottish blood in their veins. .Sir Joseph. Ward and the two Maori members are- the exceptions. Even Mr Carrol! is half a Celt, though an Irish one. Through Mr McGowans resignation Auckland Joses one Minister am! OtagcT gains another*- This, while Auckland and Canterbury, have only one representative in the Cabinet. Otago has three. On the whole, however, it must be admitted Sir Joseph has done the, host with the material available. Ho himself has, •however, taken a. great load upon hjs own shoulders. Indeed,, apart from .Railwavs, he. has to carry aIL the principal portfolios, and he will have his work fully cut out to fill the office of Prime Minister,■ and also act as ■Minister, of Finance. Defence, Lanas and Agriculture and Postmaster General. to say nothing about his having ‘to look after a number of minor departments. So many members of the new Cabinet, however, are unused to offico that lie lurs had to shoulder the load. Probably at a later date he miav .unload Lands on to Air Thos. Mackenzie, and Agriculture on to -Mr Buddo. . • j." Tlie fact that Hie Justice Department will be in the hands of a member of .the Upper House will benot altogether pleasing to in embers of the Lower House, as this is a Department

about which.' the people’s representatives have usually a lot of questions to ask. The Department, however, . will be in capable hands. Mr R. Mackenzie has got the portfolios (Works and Mines) about which he has special knowledge. He ‘ favors the development of the Parapur a iron deposits in the Nelson district. It. he says, would pay Die people even if they borrowed half a •million of money to go on with that important work. Ho favors the State taking the work in hand as a puiely f State concern. Mr Mackenzie is u- . freeholder and favors the optional tenure. He is in favor of allowing tenants of the ordinary Crown lands to acquire tlio freehold, hut not m £he {) f Land for Settlements Land, j Ju labor circles it will come as »* * surprise that Mr Millar shot,lu relin- • Nmish the Labor portfolio, whi.e employers will not altogether be plea.sed at its being handed over to such advanced State Socialist as Mr Hogg. WitlL regard to the Libor j„nation Mr Hogg says he has not . ! expressed very decided views, but Ira | yA always been in favor of preseiv 1 dm peace between mployers and em ployecs and, having himse x under- ■ !‘r,ne a very severe ordeal in the l , rid of hard work at diffeient ti- ; mc‘s,“his sympathies have, he wf ”'hi of work l r st ' Sh's i j . 'cWf, to my na lc l> r c “. lC, ¥ lC Mackenzie and Ngata do „„( r «£vo They Will get an extra -ra House allowance.

THE PREMIER JON H'S collea-

STATEMENT BY Blit JU.’sEI II WARD..

(p ress Associ at ion.)

The mad4 the foliow-S.-fSLH,rSon-hb i^ +W>'Mmistrv will be regarded as a one, and co.uilS tlo to have been’able to include ~ verv difficult one, and 1 n* ' e -*• 'timsssM or , ;nnc to the conclusion shorLj «4 frl ASA of Linds and Agriculture I hc"d of* administration should be prepared to accept whatever onerous bittes attach to" those- positions and V ra hopeful that I will be ab.e to :.u-Vy out- what I fully recognise to a difficult task in the best interest

>. the- country. , , Mr Carroll's assumption or tne adtun ist ration of the- Cook Islands is :ne. -the general lit ness of which, 1 Junk, will be recognised. He has a .vide knowledge of the duties requud and. moreover, is very familiar ~-ith the Native questions that wm •rop up iu connection with the ad-ninistrat-ioii of the Islands. I loon or good results from him in this res-

' > (KiT. . ' _y s Minister for Railways Air Alili.ir. who is a strong 1 am sure, show tire abilty that- clrai-ac-ie-vised his administration of the portiolios he has held since he has been in the Government. I am also coniident that lie will administer the Alarine and his other -departments with an equal degree of success. ‘•The Hon. Air Fowlds," continued Sir Joseph, “Has done good work as Minister for Education, and he has now been given charge of the important Department of Immigration, and Hospitals, and Alental Hospitals, and gives un Public Health. Also, he takes charge of the Fire Insurance iApartment, and I am confident that in the administration of that- and tlie ether new - departments which have keen entrusted to him, lie will display the same care and attention which, have characterised his administration in the past. “It is in accordance with the fitness of things that the Justice Department ami the Attorney-General-ship should be combined ami the Hon. Dr. Findlay has now the whole of the legal departments under his administration. It will be recognised that they are in most capable hands. From the point of view of the country it is better, also, 1 think, that the two branches dealing with the law and jusiico should be under one control.

“In ALr R. AlcKenzie the country has a strong man of large experience in public works and mining matters,

and 1 look forward with confidence to seeing these two great departments under his practical administration being managed for the general benefit of the community.

“Air Hogg, who is a very ojd member oi the Party, takes over responsible duties ns head of the Labor Department and the important Department of Customs, together with the. extensive work of the Roads and 'Bridges Department. He is a mail of with' experience, and lias great practical comiuonscnse, and I am certain lie will carry out the duties attaching to what are. in some, respects, very difficult departments in the best interests of the people. His knowledge of . the printing business is such as to fully justify the Printing Office being placed under liis control.

“J«r Buddo is a practical farmer •■of wide experience, and I feel sure ibat ho will be able to successfully administer the Departments of International Affairs and Public Health to the advantage of the country. ‘Olr T. Mackenzie, who assumes control of Industries and Commerce, Scenery and Forestry, is a man of wide experience. He is a strong man and 1 look for good*results in those departments under liis administra-'t-ion. - ‘‘The inclusion of Air Ngata as u member of the Executive, representing the Maoris, should, 1 think, give ••vide oatiafaction. He is not ohlv a highly educated man, but one whose

instincts lead him along the right road. Having the Alaori councils under his jurisdiction will ensure great activity land vigor being applied in that branch of the work of the country. His training as a lawyer will help him greatly in carrying on the important work of the Public Trust Office. It deals, not only with Europeans, but also with many anti divers interests closely connected with the Natives.

“Naturally the greatest regret I have in connection with the reconstruction of the Ministry is the severance of my old friend and colleague, the Hon. J, McGowan. Ever since he has been associated with the Government he has been a man who has earned the personal regard of all who have known him, but changing conditions -call for alterations which, on . personal grounds, arc greatly regretted. Mr McGowan’s elevation to the tipper House is -a well-earned distinction ut which no one will be able to cavil. It is unnecessary.to say that he parts, from myself and his colleagues on the most friendly terms. There has been no unpleasantness of any sort or kind.”

A MINISTERIAL JOURNAL’S

VIEWS

[Special to “Times.”]

WELLINGTON. Jan. 6

The “New Zealand Times.” (Ministerial) is of opinion that Sir Joseph Ward acted with considerable discretion in the selection of his colleagues. It refers eulogistically to the new men, hut seems to regard Mr Buddo as the weakest of the quintette. Of Mr Buddo it says: “It is as impossible to go into paroxysms of delight as it would he to take exception to him being allocated n portfolio. He is essentially a ‘safe’ man, careful, and somewhat solemn, but distinctly well-meaning in all he docs and says. It -would he idle to refer to him” ns a ‘strong’ man, but lie is of tli it ‘solid’ judicious- type which would gain him much personal support and resnect from any body of men.” It adds: “The complexity of the considerations which have to be weighed in the selection of Ministers •are so well realised by the community that it is unnecessary to enumerate them here, ranging as they do from claims based on geography and party service. The wish of the country was that personal merit should .he the principal factor in determining the allocation of portfolios.” There will, of course, he the disappointed ones in the Party now to be reckoned with, and there will certainlv he a number of them. There is., of course, the Chairmanship oi Committees left vacant to placate one member. -Mr Wilford may be given this (if he will take it), but .Sir Wm. Steward also has claims upon it.

BRIEF BIOGRAPHIES. THE CAR-EERiS OF THE NEW AIINISTERS.

Mr. David Buddo, M.P. for Kaiapoi is a Scotchman by birth. He first saw the light of v day in Edinburgh in 1352, and received his education in the “land of heather. He came to New Zealand m ihe seventies and acquired land. He commenced his public life as a member of tne Springs Road Board, Canteibuij, while but 29 years of age, and Ims been identified with various public bodies in his district ever since. He has always taken an interest in defence matters, and was captain of tne North Canterbury Mounted Rifles m 1901-1903. Mr. Buddo commenced his political career in 1893 as member for Ivaiapoi. He was defeated in 1896. but was returned again in 1899 and has retained the confidence of his constituents up to date. Lie has been a member, for a number ot years, of the North Canterbury Board of Education, of which lie was chairman for eleven years, a membei of the Lyttelton Harbor Board lor eleven years, and a member of the North Canterbury School Commissioners. Mr. Buddo favors the freehold tenure of land. He is neither a brilliant man nor a man of many parts, but lie is generally recognised as one possessing sound judgment, much common-sense, and a political stability that will stand him in good stead as a Minister. Mr. Roderick McKenzie, M.P. for Motueka. is like Mr. Buddo in that ho. also, was horn in Scotland (Ros-s----shire) and in • the same year, 1852. He was educated at Glasgow Academy and then entered the service of the London and Glasgow Engineering and Iron Shipbuilding Company. He afterwards proceeded to Canada, and in 1869 came to New Zealand. For some years he followed mining pursuits in Otago., and subsequently engaged in bridge building on the West Coast of the South Island. Again, like Mr. Buddo. he first entered Parliament in 1893, representing Buller. At the 1896 election he was elected for Motueka, which constituency ho has represented continuously since. Ho has for a number of years been a member of the Westland Harbor Board. Air. McKenzie has, for several sessions, been Chairman of Committees in the House, and has discharged his onerous duties in a. capable manner. With Sir William Steward, Air McKenzie is considered one of the best authorities in the House on Parliamentary procedure. Air. Thomas Mackenzie. F.R.G.S., AI.P. for Taieri. was born in Edinburgh in 1854. As a child he came to New Zealand with his parents, and was educated in Otago schools. In his early manhood he followed commerce, land surveying, and farming, and went into Parliament first in 1887 as representative for Clutha, and sat until 1896. From 1900 to 1902 be represented' AVaihemo, and from 1902 to 1908 Waikouaiti. .The latter constituency being dispensed with last election, owing to the alteration oi boundaries, he contested, and -was successful in winning the Taieri seat. Air. Alackenzie has had a varied career. In 1888 be represented New Zealand at the centennial celebrations in Sydney*; in 1899 he was New Zealand Trade Commissioner to Great Britain i, in 1894 member of the Royal Commission on the Customs tariff: in 1896-99 he represented New Zealand agencies in London; in 1897 he was appointed a Governor of the Royal Imperial Institute; in 1901, member of the Royal Commission on Education; and in 1903 Chairman, of the Parliamentary Commerce Committee. He’ was for five vears Alayor of Roslyn and eleven years a member of the Otago Education Board." Ho holds several public nosit.ions- at the mvsetit time." Flo has done a great deal of exploring in

Southern Otago, and in 189 S was elected a Fellow of the Royal Geographical/ Society: Air. Alackenzie 'has much force of character, is a keen and ready debater, has an intelligent grasp of the leading questions of the da'-, and is a pronounced freeholder. He is extremely popular, and his- elevation to Cabinet rank will doubtless find general favor. Air Alexander Wilson Hogg, Ai.l . for Alasterton .is also a Scotchman, having been born in Glasgow in 1845. He was educated at the public schools and the Aiidersonian University, and when 23 years of age emigrated to Victoria, 'where he followed mining, storekeeping and journalism. In 1877 lie came to Dunedin, and lor some years managed and edited the Dunedin “Ago.” He conducted papers in Ashburton and Timarii un to ISSI, and from that year until 1892 was editor and part-proprietor, of the Alasterton .“Star.” He was a member of the Wellington Land Board from 1889 to 1904; member of Wellington Education Board in IS9I, and member of Victoria College Council in 1900. In 1900 he entered Parliament as representative for Alasterton, and has continued as such. He was Chairman of the Parliamentary Lands Committee in 1902-5. Air. Hogg is a vigorous speaker, and one who keeps a keen eye on present-day legislation, but'his views, owing to their socialistic tendency, do not altogether find favor with a section of the public.- He is a believer in the leasehold, all Advocate of State flour mills, and has long endeavored to get the duty taken oil Hour. _ Air. Apirana Turupa Ngata. Al.l . for'the Eastern Alaori District, is a native of Kawakawa, To Araroa, where he was born in 1874. He had o. good scholastic career, and passed his B.A. in the University of New Zealand in 1893. In 1894 he passed Ids AI.A. with honors in political science, -and in 1896 he passed his final L’.L.B. He was admitted' as a barrister and solicitor in 189/, but on the formation of the Te Auto Students Association (Young Alaori Party) in 1599 lie gave up his practice to take the part of travelling secretary. He was organising inspector to Maori Councils in 190—-4: In 1905 lie was elected by his present constituents to the House of Reprcsen tat ives. He acted on Royal Commissions 1905 (under the Native Land Act of 1904) ; on a Commission nu 1906 to inquire into the To Ante and Wanganui trusts: and in 1907-8 on the Native Land Tenure Commission, in company- with Sir Robert Stout. Air Ngata is a man ol high intelligence and advanced views, and Ins presence in the Cabinet will no doubt lead to further legislation for the betterment of the native race.

“That the attention of the AlinisLube drawn to the fact that the Marlborough Education Board, by appointing teachers only from year to. year, makes a- deliberate attempt to deprive teachers of privileges and benefits conferred by the Teachers’ Incorporation and Court of Appeal Act.” The next annual meeting will be held in Wellington. The election of officers resulted as follows: President, Air G. AY. A'l-Mc-Donald (Otago); Secretary, Mr AV. Foster (Wellington); Treasurer, Air T. H. Hughes (Christchurch); nonofficial members of Executive : Messrs G. Alurrary (Auckland), J. Caughley (Wellington) and J. -Harkncss (Reefton). . , . , The balance-sheet showed receipts for the vear £l4O 2s 6^d; balance in hand, £460 15s Sd, less outstanding cheques, £62 4s Old, legal defence fund, £lO-59 15s Id. The President stated that the present membership was 2217, an increase of 34S since the last- annual meeting. The following resolutions were carried: “That the Education Department be asked to formulate regulations us to sick leave granted to teachers. taking into consideration length of service, and also to allow leave of absence on full pav after, certain periods of scjvice, as is the case in'some Australian iSt-ates.” . ... , “That the Institute considers that pupil teachers who are compelled under hoard’s regulations to sit for matriculation examinations, should not ■have to pay examination 'fees. “That in' the interest of education the introduction of uniform sclioo, books is undesirable.” . “That the Institute bring before the notice of the ALiui-ster the necessity for providing for better physical' conditions for children, especially wit 11 regard to 'heating and outside shelter.” . , .. “That in the best interests or eduction Education Boards be requested to <rrant teachers two or more days in eve. v vear for the purpose of visiting the' best schools in various educational districts.” “That the attention of the Department he drawn to the existing discrepancy in fees payable tor subjects in class C. examination.” “That Government be asked to see up a permanent commission to revise place-names in New Zealand with a view to removing anomalies in repetition of the same and in spelling, and to bestow new names.”