Territories

New Minister For

Mr. Paul Hasluck, of West Australia

THE Menzies Government, appealing to the Australian electors in a general election on April 28, following a double dissolution, scored an emphatic victory over the Australian Socialists; and the Cabinet was then re-constituted.

It was announced on May 11 that Mr.

Paul Hasluck, a West Australian Liberal MP (photo herewith), has been appointed Minister for Territories in the new Aus tralian Cabinet.

Mr. Hasluck is 46 years old; was an out standing West Australian journalist be fore he joined the Depart ment of Ex ternal Affairs in 19 41; he held important diplomatic posts abroad; then he be came very critical of Aus tral i a ’ s Dr.

Evatt and re tired, and be came a Uni versity lecturer in Perth; and in 1949 he won the Curtin seat. He is among the ablest of the younger Minis ters.

The name “External” has been dropped, and Mr. Hasluck will be called Minister for Territories: and the Northern Territory (hitherto in the care of the Minister for the Interior) will be added to the portfolio. The Territories Minister will give his whole time to the Depart ment—a change that will please Terri torians.

It is not expected that the names of the two new Deputy Administrators will be announced for a few weeks. Selections have been made, but will be re-examined by the new Minister.

The reorganisation is not likely to affect the position of Colonel J. K. Murray, the Administrator. The late Minister, Mr. Spender, apparently desired a change in that direction; but it was found that a much-criticised arrangement made late in 1949 by the retiring Socialist Minister Ward that Colonel Murray be re appointed for five years—could not be disturbed without a lot of trouble and cost.

The creation of new Department raises the status of the Secretary, Mr. J. R.

Halligan, who has been the power behind the throne of a whole series of Territories Ministers, for a quarter-century.

If, as is reported, Australia is to re place Britain as the administrative authority in New Hebrides and Solomons, the importance of the Department will be further enhanced.

Immediately the elections were over, representations were made to the Prime Minister by Papua-New Guinea interests, asking that the Department be placed in the hands of a senior Minister, who should

have sufficient time to attend to Territories affairs.

It was urged that the old system of appointing to the portfolio a junior Minister without sufficient strength and experience to deal with high officials had had bad results in the past, and would have worse results in the future.

It was pointed out, also, that if Aus tralian administration were extended to New Hebrides and Solomons, as had been suggested, the need lor an experienced Minister, clothed with wider authority, would become greater.

Mr. Hasluck