MR. MASSEY’S VIEWS.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 16521, 23 August 1919, Page 2

MR. MASSEY’S VIEWS.

MUCH BUSINESS TO BE DONE. IN COMING SESSION. Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, August 2'2, ■ In reply to further questions this morning, Mr. Massey said he could, as yet, make no statement ,as to the re construction of the Ministry, which would take place in the near future. There would, as far as ho knew, be no postponement of the session. As to whether the session would be short or long, ho could not say what the members would do. He wanted to do as much business as possible in the time at his disposal, and there was plenty waiting. There was legislation which must he passed, and Parliament would bo asked to deal with essential measures. Besides Supply and the Expiring Laws Continuance Bill there was the validation of the Peace Treaty. That would, probably, not take long, but it must be done. The administration of Samoa would not require much legislation, but they wished to get it dealt with as soon as possible. The Liberal Ministers are all following Sir Joseph Ward’s lead and tendering their resignations. Tho Hon. W. U. S. Macdonald to day resigned his portfolios of Agriculture, Mines, State and Fire Insurance, Tourist and Health Resorts, and Legislative. When asked for a statement he said: “Anything I can do to help until there is a reconstruction of the Ministry I am prepared to do. All the heads of departments are very competent men, and no doubt Mr. Massey will got all the assistance he requires from them.” Mr. Massey made the following additional statement;

The decision of. Sir Joseph Ward and his colleagues to retire from the Government and thaireby terminate the existence of the National Government formed in 1915, under the agreement of the two principal parties in the'House of Representatives, was publicly announced some months ago, but no intimation was given then or since until the 20th inst. whether the consequent disruption was intended to take place before the session of Parliament convened hy tho National Government for dispatch of business on the 28th inst. Some of the most important public departments, such as Treasury, Pubjio Health, Mining, Education, and Justice, have been since 1915 continuously under control of those Ministers who have now announced their resignation* Tho remaining Ministers have not intervened in the internal work of such departments, nor in departmental policy, except in cases where decisions of the Cabinet have been called for, and the present position is therefore in respect of these departments similar to that which occurs in a change of Government, but with the grave exception that the remaining Ministers have not tlio time always allowed to an incoming government to make themselves acquainted with the methods of the de partinonts and tho requirements of the country in regard to the matters which those departments control. They are called upon to meet Parliament in less than a week hence and assume the responsibility for work of many months past without the aid of the several Ministers who have directed it. THE LATE MINISTERS.

The Hon. A. M. Myers has resigned the portfolios of Customs, Coal Control, and the National Provident Fund. “1 have followed my leader,” was all he said. The Hon. T. Wilford has resigned as Minister of Marine, Justice, and Stamp Duties. “I am going back to work at my office in Stout Street,” was his statement.

The Hon. G. IV. Russell, Minister of Public Health and Internal Affairs, said: “When the National Government was formed in August, 1915, we entered it as members of the Liberal Party. It having been decided that the Liberal Party shall withdraw from the Government, I, of course, will retire under the arrangement that was made four years ago. There are several very important matters which I have been unable to clear up, and consequently I shall not be ready to present my resignation until Monday next. By that time these matters will have been completed, and on Monday next L shall hand in my resignation. More than this at piesent I do not feel disposed to say.” The Hon. J. A. Hanan, Minister of Education and Friendly Societies, said he was sending in his resignation, and to-day was busily engaged endeavouring to clear up.