MEETING OF CABINET.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19476, 11 May 1925, Page 9

MEETING OF CABINET.

PUBLIC OFFICES AND SCHOOLS TO BE CLOSED. (Per United Press Association.) WELLINGTON, May 10. Cabinet met in Sir Francis Bell’s room to-night. All the Ministers wore present except the Hon. A, D. M'Lcod, who is in Wairnrapa, and the Hon. W. Downie Stewart, who is in America. At the conclusion of tho meeting Sir Francis Bell said ho had no statement to make except that details of the funeral had been arranged. The political position was not discussed. The Governor-General and Lady Alice Fergusson will arrive in Wellington tomorrow morning. It was impossible for them to get here sooner. It is requested that all wreaths be forwarded to the Prime Minister’s office, Parliament Buildings, and not to the residence in Tiuakpri road. The Government has suggested to education hoards that on the schools assembling on Monday morning suitable reference b» made by tho teachers to the death of the Prime Minister, and that thereafter the schools be closed for the day, and that they be closed also on Thursday, which is tho Jay of the funeral. It has been suggested that tho secondary and primary schools should follow a similar course. The Public Sendee Commissioner has advised the departments under his control that all offices are to be closed from Monday to Thursday inclusive, except those offices necessary for the transaction of public business. Instructions have been issued for ail flags on public buildings to be half-masted till Thursday. A special Gazette formally announcing tho death of. tho. Prime Minister will be issued to-morrow. More detailed announcements will follow, probably, on Tuesday.

MESSAGES OF CONDOLENCE THE MAYOR’S TELEGRAM. The Mayor sent tho following telegram last night to tho Hon. Sir Francis Bell, Acting-Prime Minister:— On behalf of the citizens of Dunedin I desire to express to you and to your colleagues our deepest sympathy in the loss you have sustained by the death of our esteemed Prime Minister. Citizens of all shades of political sentiment deplore tho loss of one who for such a lengthy period has played so prominent a part in the public affairs not only of our own country, but of tho British Empire, and join in offering sincere condolences to his bereaved widow and family. The illustrious services be has rendered to the Empire in general and to New Zealand in particular will most' assuredly find a fitting place in tho history of the British Commonwealth of Nations, am] will for all time remain a monument to the sturdy Imperialistic sentiments of tho man whoso passing we all so much deplore. Now Zealand can. ill spare such rnea as William Ferguson Massey.

FROM THE HARBOUR- BOARD. Tho following telegram was despatched .yesterday evening to Mrs Massey:--On behalf of the Otago Habour Board I desire to extend to you our sincere sympathy in tho irreparable los-s which you have sustained in the decease of your late husband. The dominion will bo so much poorer by tho removal of the statesman who so loyally und faithfully discharged the onerous responsibilities attaching to bis high office, especially during the years which have been so momentous and vital. We trust that the remembrances of his great services to the Empire and our dominion will lie a continued solace to you and your family.—David Harnacb, chairman of the Ota fco Harbour Board.

WIRE TO MBS MASSET. The Mayor last night forwarded the following telegram fo Mrs Massey: On my own behalf and on behalf of the citizens of Dunedin I wish to express to you and the members of your family our sinccrost sympathy in the irreparable loss yon have sustained in the death of your beloved and distinguished husband. . Your great sorrow will be shared by all. regardless of class or creed, as they _ recognise in the death of our Prime Minister the dominion and the Empire have lost a great statesman, a great Imperialist, and one who has served his country faithfully and well. SORROW IN CHRISTCHTJRCH (Pen United Peess Association.) CHRISTCHURCH, May 10, Not unexpectedly, but to the great grief of a saddened city, the nows came of Mr Massey’s death. Many anxious and sympathetic inquiries were made to-dny us to how his illness was developing, and many people attended the Telegraph Office between 5 and 5.30 p.m. seeking the latest news. . , , , ~ In most of the churches to-night feeling and sympathetic references were made to the personal worth of the dead statesman. Throughout the evening, wherever people gathered, the death of Mr Massey was the only topic of conversation. A solemn toll was rung from the Cathedral tower for an hour after the evening service. SADNESS .IN TIMARU. (Per United Piress Association.) TIMARU, May 10, Tli© news of the death of the Prime Minister was received here with profound sorrow Reference was made m all the churches to the sad, event, and special prayers were offered ab the Salvation Army meeting. It is said that through the death of Mr Massey the Salvation Array ha,! lost a good friend. REGRET IN WANGANUI. (Peb United Press Association.) - . WANGANUI, May 10. The news df Mr Massey’s death was received with widespread regret. In ail the churches appropriate music was played, and feeling references to the deceased statesman were made by the rol "' 9te^ s f - The Mayor has sent a message of con dolenco to Mrs Massey. I THE NEWS AT PORT CHALMERS. The sad announcement of the Prime Minister’s death came as a great shock to the people of Port Chalmers. In the •Anglican Church Dr Holloway made feeling reference to the late Mr Massey, and eulogised his great worth as a statesman. The organist played the “Dead March, in “Saul.”