THE PRIME MINISTER.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 19848, 17 January 1920, Page 9

THE PRIME MINISTER.

BRIEF VISIT TO CITY. CURRENT TOPICS DISCUSSED. CABINET APPOINTMENTS PENDING SOON. Tito Prime Minister (Mr Massey) arrived from Wellington this morning to attend a conference of wheat growers in Christchurch to-day. Ho had a full day’s work before him when he stepped from the ferry boat, hut ho gave half an hour’s interview on the ferry train. CABINET RECONSTRUCTION. “ Not taken in hand yet, was Mr Massey's reply to a question regarding Cabinet reconstruction. “It is only right that I should consult with Govvernment supporters, and I have not yet had the opportunity. Thero are several of tho now members that 1 have only been introduced to. There is really no hurry, as tho work is going on, but I want to get the now men appointed so that they will get well accustomed to their duties before tho House meets. Mr Massey did not say so definitely, but tho conclusion was drawn that there might be a meeting of tho Government members before the Samoan trjp and tho immediate filling of Cabinet .vacancies. IMMIGRATION. Glancing at a published criticism of tho High Commissioner’s office staff, Air Massey remarked, “ It can bo improved. I think it is necessary to keep the Commissioner’s office in touch with tho Dominion. Rcplyng to a request for an outline of the immigration policy ho said, " Here is tho position wo are in so far: It was our duty in the first place to got the soldiers hack. We nave got them nearly all here now. There are a fow men still to come, but not a great many. After that wo take in baud tho getting back to New Zealand of tho very largo number of Now Zealanders who went over to do othei war service. I do not think thero are less than 3000 of them now. Nest to them wo take immigrants from England, and wo have 2400 immigrant? ready and waiting for ship, with all arrangements made and passages paid, and I believe they will bo a particularly good lot. Many of them arp nominated by people in this country, and are relatives of Now Zealanders They ara mostly country people, but thero are representatives of all classes, and some domestic servants. That is tho beginning. Wo have to bo careful about tho people to bo selected. Then there is the other aide. The Imperial Government intends to pay tho passages of Imperial soldiers to any Dominion, and I have no doubt that quite a large number will come to this country. THE HIGH COMMISSIONER. No announcement was forthcoming about the appointment of a High Commissioner to succeed Sir Thomas Mackenzie, whose term is about to expire. “ Will lie rgnk as High Commissioner or resident minister?’’ Mr Massey was asked. “That is an awkward question,” ho replied. “ How would it be if he ranked as both; hut how are you to get a resident minister without a constituency? There are a number of little problems in that connection that have not been solved. Arrangements have to be made at the other end as well as at this end. Tho High Commissioner may he a man' who is also competent to dp the work of resident minister when the work requires to bo done; bub the necessary arrangements have yet to be made not only by New Zealand but also by thq Government of the United Kingdom and other dominions.” Mr Massey indicated that Sir Thomas Mackenzie’s term did not end in February, but four months after the expirv of his appointment. If a change wore made, ho added, Sir Thomas would still be High Commissioner for some considerablo time. Mr Massey added that when the pro per time arrived New Zealand would not he behindhand in appointing a resident Minister. Whether it would bo a •joint position or not he could not say. ROYALTY AND VICE-ROYALTY. Air Massey was asked whether ho could make an announcement regarding tho departure of tho GovernorGeneral (Lord Liverpool). "Tell mo when the Prince’s visit will came to an end,” ho replied. He expressed tho opinion that it would bo awkward for a new Governor-General coming to Now Zealand to undertake tho duties connected with tho visit of the Prince of Wales. As for tho date of the visit lie was unable to give anything definite. " COAL A LITTLE EASIER. “The outlook is just a little better than it Tras/’ Mr Massey remarked regarding the coal shortage, and tho goslow strike, He said that- tho negotiations were going on, and if tho minors or their representatives would go the length of meeting tho representatives of the coal owners he thought the difficulty would not Inst long. The trouble occurred regarding the representation at the conference. Meanwhile the industries of the country were kept going but some of them were suffering hardships.