MR MASSEY GOING TO ENGLAND.

Press, Volume LVII, Issue 17064, 8 February 1921, Page 6

MR MASSEY GOING TO ENGLAND.

TO ATTEND IMPERIAL 0 CONFERENCE. PARLIAMENT MEETS IN MARCH. (special to "the PRESS."S WELLINGTON. February 7. A cable message has been received by tlie Government from Mr Lloyd George, through tlie Secretary of State for the Colonies, stating that the matters to be dealt with at tho coming Imperial Conference ate of such urgent importance that New Zealand should bo represented by the Prime Minister, and asking that Mr Massey should be present-, if at all possible. Cabinet, at its meeting to-day, decided thiat Parliament should be convened for March 10th, so that, if it approves, the necessary arrangements lyiy be made, and in such case Sir Francis Bell will remain in New Zealand, and take the position of Acting Prime Minister until the return of Mr Massey. The cable message sent by Mr Lloyd Georgo is, of course, not meant for publication. but I have the best authority for stating that it was of such a nature as to make it almost mandatory upon the Primo Minister to attend the Conference. Indeed, the issues to be discussed are of such far-reaching importance, that it is highly advisable that all the Primo Ministers of Dominions should be present at the Conference. Before Mr Massey will decide definitely he must have the sanction of Parliament. Thero is no doubt whatever that this will be readily granted, and tho session in March will be only a short one, for the purposes of getting this consent and of voting Supply to carry on the work of the Government Possibly a week or' ten days would bo sufficient to do all the business necessary. The decision may interfere with Sir Francis Bell's trip to England. The ordinary session will not be held until Mr Massey's return from the Con-* ference. Allowing six weeks for the voyage to London, six weeks for the Conference, and another six weeks for tl;e return journey, it is evident that the second session of Parliament cannot be commenced before October. This will mean sitting right on to Christmas, and in view of the bringing down of a Tariff Bill, possibly an adjournment over the Christmas and New Year holidays to finish the business in January.