MR SEMPLE’S VISIT

Hokitika Guardian, 8 July 1937, Page 6

MR SEMPLE’S VISIT

PORTFOLIOS ALLOCATED TO MR WEBB AND MR MASON :! GPer Press Association. —Copyrignt). WELLINGTON, July 7. , Arrangements for- the administration of the portfolios -held by the Hon R. Semple during his /absence in, Australia were announced by the Acting-Prime Minister (the Hon P. Eraser) at- the conclusion of a Cabinet meeting this-evening. . V The Minister for Mines and the-Acting-Minister for Labour. . (thb' Hon P./C.'. Webb). . is ,to take charge of, the Public ■ Works ' Departmgpdj, and the Attorney-General and '-Min.ister for Justice, the Hon H. G/R. Mason, will act-as• -Minister for Transport. , ' • v • -Iti an interview Mr Fraser said that the-early- return to New Zealand of the Prime Minister - (the Rt. Hon M. 1 j. Savage), the Minister for Finance (the Hon W.v- Nash), and tli9 Minister for Labour ’ (the Hoi: H. T. Armstrong) would lessen 'the work of Ministers to a very great extent. Much as they regretted the reasons for Mr Semple? s* temporary absence in Australia, they did not anticipate any difficulty in having the work carried out efficiently.

Mr Semple ; is to leave Wellington for Sydney by the Wanganella tomorrow night on his recuperative trip to Australia, and to investigate later, several matters concerning the departments under his control. Mr Fraser spoke in eulogisistic terms of Mr Semple’s services to the country in public works and / transport., Mr Semple, he said, had carried a heavy burden, and no doubt bis condition was due f to. the energy with which he had applied himself to his multifarious and responsible tasks. In expressing to Mr Semple good wishes for a rapid recovery, Mr Fraser presented him with a gift from his colleagues in the > Ministavy. ,Mr Semple replied.