MR. MASSEY.

Taranaki Daily News, 8 February 1921, Page 5

MR. MASSEY.

MAY CO TO LONDON. INVITED TO CONFERENCE. IMPORTANT PROBLEMS TO SETTLE. By Telegraph.—Press Association. * Wellington, Last Night, Mr. Massey stated to-day that a cablegram had been received by the Government from Mr. Lloyd George, through the Secretary of State for the Colonies, stating that the matters to be dealt with at the coming Imperial Conference were of such urgent importance that New Zealand should be represented by its Prime Minister, and asking that Mr. Massey should be present if at all possible. Cabinet, at a meeting to-day, decided that Parliament should be convened for March 10, so that if it approves the necessary arrangements may be made. In such case Sir Francis Bell will remain in New Zealand to take the position of acting-Prime Minister until the return of Mr. Massey. This early session of Parliament, added the Premier, will be only a short one lasting a week or ten days, the sole object being to decide whether to accept the invitation ard to vote the necessary supplies. He. cO uld not publish the cable, but (showing it in confidence to the pressmen present) it referred to very important matters indeed which were to come before the conference, and in his time nothing so strong in the way of an invitation to attend the conference had ever come from the Imperial Government to the Government of this country.

The March session would practically be only a formal one. If Parliament thought that the Prime Minister could be spared in view of the important events taking place here, well and good; if not, the Government must make arrangements in some oilier direction. If he went Hom? it would mean another session later in the year, commencing not later than October and probably before the end of September, allowing six weeks for the conference and six weeks both going Home and coming back. His going Home would not involve throwing overboard the possibility of dealing the question of Customs tariff revision this year. It had been arranged for some time that Mr. Hughes (the Prime Minister of the Australian Commonwealth) was to attend the conference. THE ACTING PREMIER. STRONG MAN AT THE HELM. PARLIAMENT’S BRIEF SESSION. (By Wire.—Own Correspondent.) Wellington, Last Night. The call that has reached Mr, Massey to attend the Imperial Conference in London in June was not altogether unexpected. Mr. Massey is not desirous of leaving the Dominion this year, and he had arranged for Sir Francis Bell and Sir James Allen to represent New Zealand at flic conference, but the cablegram from Mr. Lloyd George urging his personal attendance leaves him scarcely any option. Matters of very great importance have to be discussed at the conference, including some subjects of peculiar interest- to New Zealand and Australia, Mr. Massey will not cable his acceptance until after rhe meeting cf Parliament on March 10 next, but the great majority of members when acquainted wjth the facts are sure to approve of bis attendance in London. The special session would be required in any case in order that financial provision might be made for State services up ib the date of the second session, which will be called later in the year 'I his session probably will commence about the beginn’Pg of October, rnd as the business will include the Tariff Bill it is quit!? likely that Parliament will have to adjourn for Christmas and resume in the New Year. Mr. Massey stated to-day that he did not intend to postpone the Tariff Bill to next year’s session.

If Mr. Massey goes the acting-Prime Minister will be Sir Francis Bell. This is an arrangement that will commend itself to those who wish to see a strong man at the head of affaire while Mr. Massey is in London. The. present At-torney-General is not often in the public eye, but he is the Prime Minister’s right hand man.