POLITICAL PROPHECY.

North Otago Times, Volume CIII, Issue 13651, 19 August 1916, Page 7

POLITICAL PROPHECY.

THE PRIME MINISTER'S SUCCESSOR. HARD WORK AHEAD. WELLINGTON, August 10. In view of the departure of the Prime Minister and'the Minister of Finance fur London, interest is reviving in the question of the,appointment of an Acting' Prime Minister. The senior Minister remaining in New Zealand will be the Hon.. James Allen, the Minister of Defence'., but it is not certain that he will become acting head of the Cabinet. The appointment will be of considerable importance, since the Acting Prime Minister may .be required to handle some difficult questions in connection with the operation of the Military Service Act, which will require a lot of interpretation by regulation. It seems certain the appointment will go to a Reform Minister, and those -who know Mr Allen and his work best are the least read;f"to"set aside his claim to hold the reins during Mr Massey's absence.