IMPERIAL CONFERENCE.

Auckland Star, Volume XLIX, Issue 13, 15 January 1918, Page 5

IMPERIAL CONFERENCE.

MR MASSEY AND SIR J. WARD. BOTH PROBABLY GO. fSpeclal Correspondent.) WELLINGTON, Monday. The telegram from Dunedin intimating thut Mr. Masee'y, after his very definite protestation to the contrary, may find it necessary to attend the Imperial Con;fere"nee to be held in London irf the course of a. few months, has surprised no onp here. For one thing Sir janrws Allen hae made it abundantly clear tbat he has no wish to go to London in the near future, and entrust his portfolio to a colleague who might not administer it on exactly the came lines as those he has laid down for himself. The Minister's reluctance to leave the Defence Office, even temporarily, at the present ■.stage is natural, and well understood oy |the members of the Cabinet. But doubtJess what hae influenced the Prime Minisjter more than anything else in recouisidering his first determination is a de'siro to place before the Imperial authorities quite plainly the attitude of tho j"Dominion towards the suggestion that I the conquered German possessions in the Pacific should be restored nfter thu war. Mr. Masee'y hae expressed a v°ry strong opinion on this subject, from time to time, and he does not contemplate with arty satisfaction the prospect o.f the Germane again 'becoming* close neighbours to New Zealand.

If Mr. Massey decides to go he wDI no doubt be accompanied by Sir Joseph Ward, as before, and Sir James Allen [will resume the position of acting bead of the Government.