SIR FRANCIS BELL.

Hokitika Guardian, 18 December 1924, Page 1

SIR FRANCIS BELL.

Al.l EG ED ANNOUNCEMENT OF RF/T1 DEMENT. CHRISTCHURCH, Dee. 17. The two Ministers who arrived from Wellington yesterday morning—the ||i.ii sir It, Heaton Rhodes, .Minister of Defence, and the lion I!. F. Bollard. Minister of InlcriPd Alfairs—express,.(l some astonishment when a lepieirillative of “The Press” drew their attention to a published statement that the lion Sir Francis Jtell. AttorneyGeneral and Minister of External Affairs, had announced his early retirement from the Cabinet, in the course of a. speech at the luncheon to the Samoan chiefs in Wellington on Aranda . IP,II, Sir j leal on Rhodes end Ai’ - Bullard were present al the function, and heard Sir Francis Bell’s speech, lull failed 111 gather from anything ho said that he was announcing his early retirement. Sir Heaton Rhodes said that the remarks made by Sir Francis, upon which the aimoiineemenl ol his early retirement from the Cabinet was based, were to the elici t that he (Sir Francis) was getting on in years, and that he expected in the course ot lime, the portfolio of External Alfairs would he taken by a voanger member ol the ( ahi,iet. ' Sir’Francis had spoken of giving up the portfolio of External Affairs some day. hut made no aunouiieeniimt of his retirement from the ( aliinel. Sir Francis had remarked how interesting lie hail found the administration of the portfolio, especially in connection with Samoan alfairs. Sir Heaton Rhodes emphasised tin? fait that though Sir Francis had mentioned that it was probable that a younger man might take up the poi tVolin cif External Aalfirs. he made no reference to his intention to resign from ihe Attorney- 1 , .’encrnlsliip.