DOMINION'S PART.

Taranaki Daily News, 30 January 1918, Page 5

DOMINION'S PART.

THE IMPERIAL CONFERENCE. STATEMENT BY MR. MASSEY. By Telegraph—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. Mr. Massey stated yesterday: "From information that has reached the Government we have reason to believe the War Cabinet and Conference will meet somewhat later this year than it did last year. This may require very important alterations to be made in this Dominion." NEW ZEALAND'S REPRESENTATION. (From Our Own Correspondent.) Wellington, Jan. *2B. The Prime Minister stated to-day that the question »of New Zealand's representation at this year's meeting of tie Imperial War Council would be considered at a special meeting of Cabinet to be held in the near future. The men ting, it is understood, will not take place before the beginning of next week. The date of the meeting of the Council in London has not been made public, but probably it will be about the middle of the year. What proposal the Prime Minister is going to place fcefore Cabinet cannot be known at this stage. There is reason to believe, however, that Sir James Allen will ibe asked to undertake the mission to Ixmdpn, and to leave the Defence Department in the hands of Mr. Massey, who would then hand over the Lands Department to Mr. iluthrie. Whether or not Sir James Allen will accept remains to be seen. He does not wish to leave the Defence Department ftt this stage of the war, but it seems unlikely that ihe would decline to undertake a very important duty if it wag urged upon him by all his colleagues. If Sir James Allen is not chosen to go to London, it will be 'because Mr. Massey is going himself. It is possible, of course, that the presence of the Prime Minister of New Zealand at the War Council will be regarded as essential. It has been generally assumed that Sir Joseph Ward ♦ill be the second representative of the Dominion at the War Council in any case, but this point has still to be settled. Local finance will demand very ctiretful attention from the responsible Minister this year. There is a growing opinion here that an early session will be held whatever the decision of Cabinet is as to representation. DEFENCE EXPENDITURE COMMISSION. PRELIMINARIES DISCUSSED. Wellington, Last Night. The Defence Expenditure Commission met to-day to discuss preliminaries. The commission is directed to inquire and report on the financial and the economy of the. financial administration of the Defence Department and other departments acting with it during the war, with reference to the following matters: (I) The headquarters and other administrative branches of the service. (2) The methods of control or supervision of expenditure. (3) ftlle pay and allowances of the defence forces or of civilians engaged in the services hi relation to the war. (4) The military stores, equipment, and supplies. (5) Military camp*. (8) Transport of troops. (7} Hospital ships. iS.) Military hospitals. (9) Medieal and dental examinations, and the treatment.. (10) Military Service Boards. (II) AH other matters involving public expenditure for the purposes of the war. The commission has power to call and examinp witnesses, and call for document* and records. The report is to "be completed 'by June 30.