THE PRIME MINISTER

Otago Daily Times, Issue 17942, 22 May 1920, Page 9

THE PRIME MINISTER

HIS VIEWS ON IMPORTANT QUESTIONS.

(Peb United Pbess Association.)

CHRISTCHUROH, May 21. In the course of an. interview to-day Mi? Massey was asked if he could give the revenue and expenditure for the last, financial year. He replied that the last quarter's figures would be available in a few days ,but he could not give them at pre* eent.

The portfolios of Defenoe, Public Works, and Post and Helegraphs were the subject) of another question. At present they, are held by Mr Coates. Mr Massey was asked whether it was proposed to divide them. He replied that Defence waa not heavy at present, although there would be a lot of work in it when the Government proposals were submitted to Parliament. The defence question must be settled. Post and Tele-" graphs waa not heavy. Mr Coates would continue as Minister of Public Works. There waa no question about that. The effeot of the shortage of publio funda upon land settlement was also discussed. Mr Massey was emphatio that there had been no stoppage of soldiers' settlement, but he said that it had been quite impossible to keep up the pace at which the Government had been travelling for the last sir months. Neither was it desirable that the department would go on as usual, and he had no doubt that 1 what it was doing or contemplated doing (and he knew all about the funds) would be satisfactory to the returned soldiers. Over 14,000 men had been provided with homes in town and country. It was a wonderful reoord, for when ho took it in Hfind in the first instanoe he did not expect 5000 applicants. The Government had a huge area in htuid now of land which had been purchased and belonged to tie Crown, and some of it would, be available for ordinary settlement. Is there any prospect of continuing tha commandeer? Mr Massey was asked. Very little," he replied; "but I cannot be certain. I have not been, able to get a definite reply up to the present from the Imperial authorities, but, judging by what is taking? plaoe in Etagland, the extension of the commandeer is unlikely, except with the object of avoiding the confusion of having Imperial and dominion-owned meat in the cold stores at one time. Something might be clone in that way, and I have not yet given up hope. Don't imagine that I expect anything in the way of a {.lump, but I do sa.y we have got to be and make the most of the position."