SIR WILLIAM HERRIES

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18158, 1 February 1921, Page 5

SIR WILLIAM HERRIES

PRESENTATION BY MINISTERIAL COLLEAGUES.

(Fbom Oub Own Coebkspondxkt.) WELLINGTON, January 31,

At a Cabinet meeting this afternoon, which will probably be the last held before Sir Williarn Herries departs on a trip to England, his colleagues in the Ministry presented him with a rug and an umbrella. The Prime Minister, in making the presentation, said he hoped Sir William would enjoy the trip and come back from his native land to the land of his adoption fully restored to health and strength, and that he would bo ready to take up any parliamentary or Ministerial duties that might fall to his lot. So long as the present Government remained in office, said_ Mr Massey, there would always be a position for him. Ho was glad to be able to announce to his colleagues that though Sir William was giving up his portfolios, he was not retiring from the Executive. k

Sir William Herries, in thanking his colleagues. said he regretted perhaps even more than they did that he had found it necessary, for the present at all events, to retire from active political duties, • but he did not intend to be absent many months from New Zealand, and he trusted he would be able to take some part in next session'’s business._ He assured his colleagues that if at any time he could be ,of use to them, or to Parliament, none would be better pleased than he. - He did not intend to .leave New Zealand permanently, and so long as his constituents were willing to have him as tiheir representative. in Parliament he would retain the position, which he valued in a way he could not adequately express.

RESIGNATION OF PORTFOLIOS. (Fbom Ope Own Correspondent.) WELLINGTON, January 31. Sir William Herries, who is going Home, has resigned his ~ portfolios, but he has not resigned from’the executive.