WAR CABINET MEETING

Otago Witness, Issue 3334, 6 February 1918, Page 36

WAR CABINET MEETING

COUNSELLING OVERSEA DOMINIONS. (By Cable.) Though plans not yet been made, the most important conferences of British Dominion Ministers are certain to be held very shortly. The War Cabinet regards these consultations as vital and imperative. Mr Long, Secretary of State for the Colonies, has'been charged with the duties of ascertaining the dominion views upon subjects concerning which personal interviews are essential. These cover the whole gamut of war activities, the negotiations including the matters of reinforcements, repatriation, finanee, and post-war trade. Sir R, L. Borden and General Botha are o6ming. NEW ZEALAND REPRESENTATIVES. MR MASSEY AND SIR J. G. WARD. WELLINGTON, February 4. Mr Massey announced to-day that New Zealand would be represented at the meeting of the War Cabinet by Sir J. G. Ward and himself, subject to the approval of Parliament. A short session of Parliament will uo held prior to their departure, probably opening on April 9, to make the necessary arrangements to enable the representatives to go to Britain. The conference will bo hold in June, so the representatives should leave before the end of April. (Fbou Ode Own Correspondent.) WELLINGTON, February 4, After the cable news message this morning it was almost a certainty that the Prime Minister would have to g_o to London to be present at the meeting of the War Cabinet, and the announcement that the two leaders are to go again should occasion no surprise. The expression . "subject to the anproval of Parliament in the official statement has practically no significance as applied to the selection of the Ministers to go Home, but it may have significance if it means that Parliament is to have any voice in the choice of an Acting Prime Minister. There is no procedure by which the House could compel the Ministry in this matter, but it is not inconceivable that there may bo a joint meeting of the two parties to the coalition to discuss this question. One of the results of the choice of Mr Massey and Sir Joseph Ward as the delegates will be that the schemes for a change of control in the administration of the Defence Department will be indefinitely postponed. It may even be that Sir James Allen will be Acting Prime Minister, but if this is to be so there 'will be annoyance felt, and perhaps shown, by members of the House who did not approve of some of the acts of the Government in the last period during which Mr Massey was away from New Zealand.