New Ministers (Press, 13 December 1975)

On 13 December 1975, a significant reshuffling of the New Zealand government was announced, resulting in the appointment of several new Cabinet members, seven of whom are assumed to hold Ministerial rank for the first time. Among those appointed is Mr T. F. Gill from East Coast Bays, who has taken on the role of Minister of Health and Immigration at the age of 55. A Member of Parliament since 1969, Gill previously served as the Opposition spokesman for health and social welfare. He has a military background, having served with the Royal Air Force during World War II and the post-war period, and has also been a member of the New Zealand Air Board; he was awarded the Distinguished Service Order and the Commander of the Order of the British Empire for his services. Mr C. C. A. McLachlan, aged 50 and representing Rakaia, was elected in 1966. Prior to his Cabinet appointment, he was the Opposition spokesperson on transport and had a background in farming. He is now in charge of multiple portfolios including Transport, Civil Aviation, Railways, and the Meteorological Service. Another newcomer with Ministerial rank is Mr W. L. Young (Miramar), who, at 61, has been appointed as Minister of Works and Development. He gained his parliamentary seat in 1966 by defeating Labour's W. A. Fox and served as the Opposition spokesman on works. The youngest member of this new Cabinet is Mr P. I. Wilkinson, the new Attorney-General for the Rodney district, who is just 40 years old. Elected in 1969, he has an impressive educational background that includes studying and working across Europe, obtaining a B.A. with honours from Durham University, and a law degree from the University of Auckland. Mr V. S. Young (Egmont), aged 46, takes the role of Minister of Lands, Forests, and the Environment. He entered Parliament in 1966 and has previously served as the Opposition spokesman for Māori affairs and environmental issues. Notably, he sponsored a bill last year aimed at legalising homosexual acts between consenting male adults, although it was unsuccessful. Mr H. R. Lapwood, now Minister of Tourism and Publicity, has been in politics since winning the Rotorua seat in 1960. Although he served as the Opposition spokesman on tourism last year, this is his first time in Cabinet. Finally, Mr H. C. Templeton from Karori, aged 46, was selected for the role of Minister of Broadcasting and Postmaster-General. He has had a career in diplomacy, entered Parliament in 1969, and returned to hold a position in government after an unsuccessful bid in 1972. The Cabinet also includes three Under-Secretaries: Mr K. R. Allen from Tauranga (43), Mr J. B. Bolger from King Country (40), and Mr K. M. Comber from Wellington Central (36), all of whom began their parliamentary careers in 1972, with respective roles focusing on municipalities, meat and wool, and sport and recreation.

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