SIR JAMES ALLEN.

Taihape Daily Times, 16 August 1919, Page 5

SIR JAMES ALLEN.

NO WISH ‘To RETIRE. ' ;\IINIS'I‘ERM DENIES POLITICAL‘ RUMOURS, ' Sir James Allen, Minister for Defence, interviewed on‘ Thursday with regard to hte article in that mornil‘ag’s' Times, in reference to the sensational rumours cul'l~ent ,that. he intended to retire forthwith from the Nationatl Government and head a new poli-

fical party, said:—- , “No doubt the report in this morning’s newspaper to the efifect that it was my jnt.enti'on to retire immediately from the Cabinet was inserted‘ in order to create dissefnsion. I have given no indication that it is my intention to retire. from the Cabinet, nor is it my wish to do so, -as long as my services may be of use to the Government or to the people in the difficult times which we must face in the aftermath of the war. It seems to "me that personal wishes must be put. aside, and that everyone, politicians and others,‘ should render Whatever service they are capable of to bring about peace, contentment, and prosperity. The suggestion that I am intent upon becoming! he leader of a new political party is end ° tirely without foundation. There appears to be a very general feeling ihroughout the c"oun’r,r*y that "every effort shoulfi’ be made to secure a. strong _ Government_, and with this I am in en-

tire accord.” The Prime Minister was also interviewed in the matter. He said: “J 3 have nothing to say about if. Nothing. at all. I think Sir James Allen has cleared it up.” _

‘These statements are more reassuring than the information in our possession Would warrant us in supposing.y If Sir James Allen has “cleared it up,’’— as Mr Massey says, there hasibeen a.‘ change for the better in the situatiom since our ‘art.ic‘l‘e was ilvritten. Possibly; Sir James has “cleared it up.” Perhaps tll_‘e’re haxte been 'exp_Alaxla'ti‘ons that have‘ prolved‘-"to: the leaders of the “Reform” party. As! for the reports that were published by us y.esterday,..fur.ther. and even more careful inquiries satisfy us that they: were -not-' -without’-foundation." In any case, it is not a; fact, as Sir James Allen.’ suggests. that t.he‘y'.ti»*ere published in’ order ta) create dissension. Whatever! dissension exists, or existed was nofi caused by our article. More thanthatfa the explanation of Sir James Allen, which was carefully typewritten when handed to our reporter, is quite ‘consistent with the Spirit of our article. 836 is particular not to deny the rumour that his retirement from the Cabincfi was -probable. VVhat he does say is that he has given no indication that; it is his illl2'€lll'.lOll to retire from the! Cabinet. But What does sir James mean when he -adds, after stating thafi he has no desire to retire, "that hd recognises his personal wishes must be‘ put aside? What were his personal.‘ wishes‘-3 Were they to. leave the Cab-. inett’ If so. has he put them aside, and? if so, is he still pfepared to say that' the rumour contained in our article wazl an inv'e.ntion€’ Sir James denies that} he has any intention of becoming the leader of a new political party. He is careful not to say anything relative to his ambition to b”c“eome the High Conn missioner, in succession to Sir Thomas Mackteiizie. After the Elenial WC hare‘ published, it. will be interesting to waif and observe the progress of political developnlellts.—N.Z. Times.