The Humboldt Journal

January 5, 1922
Volume 17, No.13
$2.00 per Year in Advance

PREMIER KING TAKES OVER THE REIGNS OF GOVERNMENT
Ottawa, Dec. 29.—Hon. W. L. Mackezie King, Liberal leader, was sworn in as prime minister this afternoon. His cabinet slate is officially announced as follows:

By Provinces:
Saskatchewan—Hon. William Richard Motherwell, minister of agriculture.
Alberta—Hon. Charles Stewart, minister of the interior, superintendent general of Indian affairs, minister of mines.
British Columbia—Hon. Hewitt Bostock, minister of public works.
Nova Scotia-Hon. William Stevens Fielding, minister of finance.
Hon.Daniel Duncan Mackenzie-minister without portfolio and solicitor general.
New Brunswick-Hon. A. B. Copp, secretary of state.
Prince Edward Island—Hon. John Ewen Sinclair, minister without portfolio.

Six From Quebec
Quebec-Hon. Raoul Dandurand, minister without portfolio.
Hon. Henri Severin Beland-minister of soldiers' re establishment and minister in charge of the department of health.
Hon. Sir Lomer Gouin-minister of justice.
Hon. Jacques Bureau-minister of customs and excise
Hon. Ernest Lapointe-minister of marine and fisheries.
Hon. James Alexander Robb-minister of trade and commerce.

Ontario—Hon. William Lyon MacKenzie King, prime minister and secretary of state for external affairs, president of the Privy Council
Hon. George Perry Graham, minister of militia and defense and minister of the naval service.
Hon. Charles Murphy, postmaster general.
Hon. Thomas Andrew Low, minister without portfolio. Hon. William Costello Kennedy, minister of railways and canals.
Hon. James Murdock, minister of labor.

King Issues Statement
Ottawa, Dec. 29-That Hon. Hewitt Bostock, new minister of public works, would be appointed speaker of the senate as soon as parliament meets, and that Hon. Rudolphe Lemieux would be appointed speaker of the House of Commons, was contained in a statement issued by Hon. W. L. King, immediately after the swearing in of his cabinet this afternoon. The statement also says that “Senator Bostock, it is will be succeeded in the leadership of the senate by Hon. Raoul Dandurand.”

Portfolios Amalgamated
After announcing a reduction in the number of portfolios, the statement adds that the departments of militia, naval service, air force and mounted police are to be combined in one department of national defense. The new administration will also give consideration to the advisability of appointing younger members of the house of commons as parliamentary under secretaries to the ministers in order that they may qualify for promotion Hon. Charles Stewart is to be acting minister of immigration and colonization.

The statement follows:
"In the formation of the government I have aimed, above all else, at national unity. This end I have felt would be

served, and the federal spirit of our constitution most acceptably realize by according representation the cabinet so far as might be possible, to all the provinces of Canada, and that with regard to the number of constituencies in each province and to the groups of associated provinces.

Effort Made for Unity
"In those parts of Canada where Liberal thought and opinion is divided, though equally opposed to the reactionary character and monopolies of the late administration. I have felt the national unity would be further promoted, and confidence and goodwill between all parts and classes augmented were opportunity of representation in the new Liberal administration afforded individuals enjoying the confidence of a considerable portion of the Canadian electorate who, but for such representation might as the years pass, be led to experience a feeling of isolation as respects the formation and administration of our national policies.

"Accordingly, I made known regardless of existing differences that I was prepared to offer representation in the cabinet to all who were prepared to advocate liberal principles and policies, such representation to be on a basis identical with that expected of every member of the new administration. Whilst it was felt by those with whom I conferred, that existing conditions would not permit of representation of their followings on this understanding I have reason to believe that the attitude assumed by myself in this particular was duly appreciated and met in a like spirit.

Fewer Ministers Named
"With respect to the new government certain reforms have been instituted with a view to economy in national expenditure and to efficiency in administration.

The size of the cabinet has been reduced. At the time of the formation of the unionist administration for reasons alleged to be connected with the war, the cabinet was increased in size by Sir Robert Borden. It was made of equal size by Mr. Meighen at the time of his recent appeal to the electorate. There were in the administration with which Mr. Meighen appealed to the country, twenty two ministers, eighteen of whom, including the solicitor general, were holding offices under the crown and four of whom were ministers without portfolio. Prior to the war, the office of the president of the privy council was held in conjunction with that of the prime minister The duties attaching to that office are not such as to render necessary or to, justify its being continued as a separate portfolio. It will therefore be held as formerly, in conjunction with the office of the prime minister. The number of ministers without portfolio has been reduced from four to three.


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