ACTING-MINISTER FOR FINANCE

Press, Volume LXXII, Issue 21903, 2 October 1936, Page 12

ACTING-MINISTER FOR FINANCE

MR SAVAGE MAY ASSUME PORTFOLIO MR NASH’S VISIT TO GREAT BRITAIN [From Our Parliamentary Reporter] WELLINGTON, October 1. 1$ is generally thought in parliamentary circles that the Prime Minister (the Rt. Hon. M. J. Savage) will act as Minister for Finance during the absence In England of the Hon. W. Nash. No official statement has yet been made about the redistribution of Mr Nash’s several portfolios, but the matter is expected to be completed within the next few days. In addition to the almost certain assumption of/the portfolio of finance by the Prime. (Minister, the duties of Minister for Marketing in New Zealand will be taken over by the Minister for Agriculture (the Hon. W. Lee Martin). Arrangements for the changeover have been practically completed. No final decision has yet been made about who shall administer Mr Nash’s remaining major portfolio, that of Customs.

Mr Nash will have only another Week of parliamentary work before his departure for England. He has arranged to leave Auckland by the Aorangi on October 13, and In consequence he will have to leave Wellington by October 12 at the latest. An effort will be made to put various matters dealing with finance through the House next week, but there is a distinct possibility that some will have to be left over to be handled by the acting-Minister.