HIGH COMMISSIONER.

Timaru Herald, Volume XIIC, Issue 13657, 28 July 1908, Page 5

HIGH COMMISSIONER.

premier's emphatic denial. MR HALL-JOKES. UXWILLIXO. Per Tress Association. WELLINGTON', July 27. After t ht" Cabinet- meeting to-day the Prime Minister, replying to questions regarding the various rumours concerning Mr W. P. Reeviis' Kuccesi-ior, said : "You may give an emphatic denial to the statement that I int. ml to lake the High Commitfsionei'.diip. 1 have not the. slightest intention to go to London. The reason wliv 1 stated in the House on Friday that'the. new appoint m<?)it raniiul be made till October after receipt. of Mr iteeve.s' resignation in that the appointment is made by warrant under statute law, and the (lovernnient- has no l«n,-cr to i.smie a fresh warrant iuil.il ihe expiry of the old one. ] am. not responsible for the rumours, but may s.iV that, tlw matter of Mr P>eevse' .successor has nob been discussed by the Cabinet since (his cablegram was :C'eeived, nor will the Cabinet discuss the question for some time to come." .Amongst the. rumoured candidates are tha Hon. Mr Hall-Jones, who ib is stated has definitely decided t-o resign ministerial rank after.the elections, hut. -who is* t-:aid to be- unwilling to go to Lmkloh ; Mr Mackenzie whose scat has been wiped out. bv the boundary commissioners and who was trade commissioner in London for three years; Mr Donne and Mr Tregear.