THE PRIME MINISTER.

Taranaki Daily News, 10 June 1920, Page 9

THE PRIME MINISTER.

INTIOHVIKW T\ UHRISTOHL'ROII. rhristclmreh, May 2.1. In tlic course of an interview to-day, the Prime Minister (.tlio Right Hon. W. V. Massey) was asked if lie eould give the revenue and expenditure for ilie last financial yeur. lie replied that the last quarter's figures v.ill be available in a few days, but lie could not give •Wiem at present.

The portfolios of Defence and Publb Works and Post and Telegraphs were the subject of another question. At present they are held by Mr. Coates. Mr. Massey was asked whether it was proposed to divide them, and he replied tHat Defence was not heavy at present, although there would be a lot of work in it when the (Government proposals were submitted to Parliament. The defence question must be settled. The Post and Telegraphs work was not heavy. Mr. Coates would continue as Minister for Public Works. There was no question about that.

SOLDI IMS' SE'PTLffIIENT. The eil'eet of the shortage of public funds upon land settlement was also discussed. Mr. Massey was emphatic that there had been no stoppage of soldiers' settlement, but lie said that it had been quite impossible to keep up the pace at which the (.'overnmeiit had been travelling for the last six months. Neither was it desirable that the department would go on as usual, and he had no doubt that what it was doing or contemplated doing (and he knew all about the funds) would be satisfactory to returned soldiers. Over 14,000 men had been provided with homes in twvn and country. It was a wonderful record, for when he took it in hand in the first instance lie did not expect 5000 applicants. The Government had a huge area in hand now, land which had been purchased and belonged to the Crcjwn, and some of it would be available for ordinary settlement. THE COMMANDEER. "Is there any -prospect of continuing [the commandeer';" Mr. Massev was asked. "Very little," he replied. "But I cannot be certain. 1. have not been able to get a definite reply up to the present from the Imperial authorities, but judging from what is taking place in England the extension of the commandeer is unlikely except- witlt the object of avoiding the confusion of having Imperial and Dominion-owned meat in. cold stores at one time. Something might be done in that way, and I liavc not yet given up hope. Don't imagine I expect anything in the, way of a slump, but 1 do say we have got to be careful and make the most of the position."