THE NATIVE MINISTER.

Auckland Star, Volume LII, Issue 27, 1 February 1921, Page 7

THE NATIVE MINISTER.

FAKEWT.T.T. BY CABINET. HIS FUTURE PLANS. (Special to "Stor.") WELLINGTON, Monday. Sir ffm. Herries, who has held Cabinet rank during the whole period of the Kefonn Government, leaves for England in a-bout a week on a health trip. It is announced that he will not give up his position on the Executive Council, though he U relinquishing the portfolios of Native Affairs, Labour Customs, Marine and Pensions. No announcements regarding the future holders of these positions is to be made until Sir William Herries' departure. At to-day"? meeting of Cabinet the Prime Minister took the opportunity, on behalf of Sir William Herries' colleagues, of presenting him with a travelling rug and an umbrella, remarking that he hoped the recipient would enjoy his trip and come back from his native country to the land of his adoption fully restored in health and ready to take up any Parliamentary or Ministerial duties that might fall to his lot. <o long as the present Government ren:.lined in office, added Mr. Massey, there would be always a Cabinet position for Sir William Horries if he chose to take it. He was glad to be able to announce that Sir Wm. Herries, while giving up his portfolios, would not retire from the Executive. Sir Wm. Herries, in the course of his reply, regretted that failing health had caused him to retire, at all event? for the present, from Ministerial office, but he hoped to come back in time for the next session. He assured his colleagues that if at any time he could be of use to them or to Parliament, he would be pleased to render them any service. He was not permanently leaving New Zealand, and intended, so long a3 his constituents were willing to have him, to retain his Parliamentary seat, which lie valued in a way he could hardly express.