POLITICAL GOSSIP

Southland Times, Issue 18972, 20 June 1923, Page 6

POLITICAL GOSSIP

NOTES FROM WELLINGTON. NEW MINISTER. ANNOUNCEMENT TO-DAY. (Special to the Times.) WELLINGTON, June 19. The Prime Minister was not prepared to make a statement to-night in regard to the new Minister. It is intended to hold a meeting of the Government supporters to-morrow morning, when it is expected that Massey will make the much awaited announcement. ' BANK OF NEW ZEALAND. I GOVERNMENT TO TAKE UP NEW •SHARES. Replying to a question in the House of Representatives, the Minister of Finance, Mr ( Massey, said arrangements had been made .by the Government to take up the State’s full share of the new capital authorised by the Bank of New Zealand, £375,000 of shares. PREMIER AND IMPERIAL CONFERENCE Mr Nash (Palmerston North), gave notice that he would move the additional of the following words to the Address-in-Reply: “That this House considers it desirable and essential that the Prime Minister should represent New Zealand at the coming Economic and Imperial. Conference to be held in England this year.” STATE ADVANCES AMENDMENT. The Prime Minister made an important statement regarding legislation extending loans of the State Advances Department, which, he said, would be brought down as soon as the no-confidence motion w r as disposed of. It was proposed to increase the amount of the loan from £2OOO to £3500. Another important provision increased the borrowing power of the settler from 60 to 75 per cent, of his security. With regard to workers’ homes, at present loans up to 75 per cent, were being granted, which it was proposed to increase to 95 per cent, of the total value of the section and building. Replying to questions, Mr Massey stated the limit of the income w’ould be £3OO, with £25 allowance for each child. The present limit of loans on first-class land would be raised from 66 to 75 per cent. THE NEW MINISTER. A meeting of the Reform Party will be held to-morrow morning, at which Mr Massey will announce the name of the new Minister, which everyone expects will be Mr R. F. Bollard. GOVERNMENT’S MAJORITY. The opinion in the Lobbies to-day is that Mr Massey will have a majority of three in the no-confidence debate. ELECTORAL REFORM. It is stated in Opposition circles that very great difficulties will be put in the way of Mr Massey, going to the conference, unless he introduces electoral Reform. Labour members are anxious to see proportional representation introduced and may be expected to embarass the Government until that is brought forward. SIR FRANCIS BELL’S NEW PORTFOLIO. Sir Francis Bell, Attorney-General, has taken over the portfolio of External Affairs. This disposes of the lost portfolio, held by the Hon. E. P. Lee, who was defeated at the last elections. MR PERRELLE’S QUESTION. (Per United Press Association.) WELLINGTON, June 19. Mr de la Perrelle (Awarua) is to ask the Minister of Railways whether, seeing a great waste is occurring by the destruction of truck tarpaulins that would be still of service to farmers, he will provide* that these be made available under proper safeguards and conditions. He suggested that a register could be kept of all condemned covers sold to farmers, the remnants of such covers to be returned to 'the. Railway Department on making applications for fresh covers, and covers to be issued in order of application. Mr de la Perrelle (Awarua) to ask the Minister of Railways whether, in view of the improvement that has taken place in receipts in the Railway Department, he will give favourable consideration to the reinstatement of the daily express sendee between Christchurch and Invercargill.