MR MASSEY'S TOUR.

Otago Witness, Issue 3338, 6 March 1918, Page 14

MR MASSEY'S TOUR.

THE ACTING PREMIERSHIP. It has transpired (says the New Zealand Times) that during the absence of Mr Maasoy and Sir Joseph Ward at the Imperial Conference, the position of Acting Prime Minister will be held by Sir James Allen. Some opposition is certain to be offered to the proposal at the approaching short session, on the ground that Sir James, as the head of the military department, is already considerably overloaded with work, and J 6 unable to satisfactorily discharge his existing responsibilities. There is a further ground of opposition on the score that, by combining the military control with the leadership of the Government, •- Sir James Allen is being invested with far too much power. It is true .that Sir James was head of the -Government during the previous absence of the party leaders, but in the interval 'he has come very seriously into conflict with public opinion, and is.at the present moment very far from popular, and is certainly not in sympathy with the people. For these and other reasons it is felt in certain quarters that a more satisfactory and diplomatic move would be to appoint as Acting Prime Minister either _ Sir William Eraser or the Hon. Mr Herries, either of whom could be depended upon to steer a safe and prudent course, and one that would not further assist to antagonise the National Government with the people. The Eroposal, in any case, will be sharply deated when it comes before Parliament.