EMPIRE PREMIERS.

Taranaki Daily News, 30 July 1921, Page 5

EMPIRE PREMIERS.

BUSY PROGRAMME

HEAVY WORK GN HAND. PRESSED FOR TIME. By Telegraph —Press Assn.—Copyright. London, July 28. It is understood that the Imperial Conference has arranged to sit only three days a week, affording ample opportunity for the Prime Ministers to attend to pressing matters affecting their Dominions. The urgent nature of the business, unexpectedly arising, necessitated almost continuous sittings for six days weekly, sometimes till late at night, and the week-ends were occupied in preparing for the strenuous work of the following days. In addition sudden developments in regard to foreign policy and the Washington proposals provided new phases for discussion, further congesting the programme. Hie press of work and. th-e shortness of the time are now causing embarrassment. The dates of their departure having been fixed Ministers are at their wits’ end how to complete their programme. Mr. Hughes, answering questions to-day, remarked that he was doing what he could to deal with general questions, but questions involving liffe and death must be considered first. Mr. Massey is similarly situated. He works distressing hours. The other Prime Ministers, having thte assistance of colleagues and large staffs, are delegating much detail to them, but their interests are not so complex or urgent as those of Australasia. Mr. Hughes adheres to his determination to arrive in Australia in the first week of October. Passages are already booked.