THE ACTING PREMIERSHIP.

Otago Witness, Issue 2883, 23 June 1909, Page 38

THE ACTING PREMIERSHIP.

MR MASSEY INTERVIEWED.

(Fhoji Ous Own Corbespoxdent.) WELLINGTON, June 18

Eegarding the appointment of Mr Carroll as Acting Prime Minister. Mr -Mastey says he has no doubt Mr Carroll will perform the duties pertaining to his new office with the same industry and energy with which he ha.s filled the position of Native Minuter, and Mr Massey further says he it, not surprised at tbe retirement of Mr Hogg from the Ministry. He continued: "I may say that I have a good deal of sympathy for Mr Hogg. Apparently the other members of the Ministry did not object to that gentleman holding strong views on the subject of land nationalisation and paper money, but what they did object to was his expressing those view.*. They knew perfectly well that Mr Hog"g held such opinions prior to his becoming a Minister, and if they objected to them I presume hi would -not have been appointed. I suppose after what has happened there is no objection to Mr Fowlds being a single taxer so lon,r as be does not say so, or Mr Buddo being a leaseholder, or Mr Xgata or Mr Cau-01l being opposed to the immediate opening up of the unoccupied Native lands, ?o long as those gentlemen keep their opinions in the background. It seems to me that the Ministry i- setting into a very peculiar position, inasmuch a* no otbs:- Minister than the -poke-man, whoever he may happen to lie, i.= allowed to express any opinion in ca«e he divulges the real sentiments and policy of the paity. That is to say, there will be two ?ets of opinions in the Mini-try— one for ths Cabinet room and one for use in Pailiament and on the platform.