CABINET MEMBERS

Evening Post, Volume CIX, Issue 75, 29 March 1930, Page 11

CABINET MEMBERS

ALL DOING THEIR WORK

PRIME MINISTER'S HEALTH

'•AS GOOD AS.'EVER"

(By Telegraph.—Press Association.)

BLENHEIM. This Day.

"It lias been suggested that members of the Cabinet have been unablo to fulfil their obligations," said the Hon. P. A. de la Perrollo (Minister of Internal Affairs) at a civic reception last night, "but I want to 'say that I believe that every"'member of the Cabinet is carrying out his duties, and doing it untrammelled. There is a further complaint this time from people who are asking about legislation for the coming session. They have expoetcd us to divulge our programme, but, 1 ask you, has any party over said to the people what legislation they propose to bring down?? I want to say that it will be presented in due course to members when they assemble in Parliament for the transaction of business. Furthermore, the legislation will be up tc date and ample in every particiuar for the welfare and advancement of this .Dominion." (Applause.) The Minister went on to make a brief reference to land settlement, and to illustrate what the Government had done to provide financial assistance for people on the land. The' Minister stated that during tho last fourteen months the State A| vances Department had established the record of actually paying out a sum of £6,000,000 to settlers and workers "UNSPORTSMANLIKE." "I want to tell, you he is steadily improving," proceeded tho Minister, amidst applause, in referring to the illness of Sir Joseph Ward. "I want to tell you that, physically and mentally, with the exception of .one of his legs, which is troubling him somewhat, that ho is as good as ever. (Hear, hear.) "As you know, tho Prime Minister has been attacked by his opponents during his illness, but I consJ.de> it is unsportsmanlike, ungenerous, and unkind for some of the papers and some individuals to have criticised so severely a sick man. (Hear, hear.) We have never tried .to tako advantago of sickmen. Last session of Parliament there were half a dozen members whom we hardly saw because of sickness, but we sympathised with them, and did not try to harry them. However, I think tho great bulk of the people of New Zealand do not associate themselves with theso attacks, and sincerely hope and trust that Sir Joseph will be restored to health, and be ablo to resume his seat in tho House." (Applause.) The . Minister received a number of deputations. He leaves for Wellington, to-morrow.