WELLINGTON NEWS NOTES. (From Our Own Correspondent.) WHAT THE PREMIER MEANT. WELLINGTON, April 11.

Otago Witness, Issue 2356, 20 April 1899, Page 43

WELLINGTON NEWS NOTES. (From Our Own Correspondent.) WHAT THE PREMIER MEANT. WELLINGTON, April 11.

■Speaking at the Hon. J. M'Kenzie's valedictory meeting on Monday night the Premier said : "I do hope ,there will be no carping during the Hon. Mr M'Kenzie'a absence from the colony. I would ask the press; in the event of there being any question upon a vital point on' which they require information/ to- come to- the Prime Minister and they will get . such, satisfaction - that there * should • be no carping.. I say this as there is nothing like meeting a' possible contingency." " This was taken to mean that Mi 1 Seddon was keeping something back, especially in the face of his statement that Mr M'Kenzie was going to England in his official capacity. The explanation of the Premier's enigmatical language comes from a pressman who was privileged with an interview with the Premier to-day, and who was informed that as Mr M'Kenzie is not going to the old country wholly on public business, though as a Minister of the Crown, he does not feel justified in making all his expenses a charge upon the Treasury. At his own request, therefore, the amount to be placed at his disposal will be £500, an amountwhich the Premier considers a modest sum considering the amount of travel which will be necessitated and the work that has to be done. When it is remembered that " money is no object," this modesty oi the Premier on behalf of his colleagu* is sublime. But some people here .ire inquiring if the result is likely to justify the expenditure, especially as the Minister for Lands has himself made it clear .that he intends the trip as one merely for physical recuperation. THE PREMIER TAKLi MORE PORTPOLIOS. It is semi-officially announced that the Premier is to have charge of the Agricultural and Lands department, and will therefore need large additions to his secretarial staff, during the Hon. Mr M'Kenzie's absence.