THE PREMIER’S DEPARTURE

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2531, 18 June 1909, Page 4

THE PREMIER’S DEPARTURE

I-lON. J; CARROLL ACTINGPREMIER. (Per Press Association.) 'WELLINGTON, June 17. The Prime Minister informed the press to-night that during‘his absence the Hon. Jas. Caroll will be ActingPrime Minister, and will administer, in addition to his present Departments, the Government Insurance and Public Trust Offices. The Hon. J. A. Millar, in additiono t his present Departments, will be Acting-Minister of Finance, arid will also hold the portfolio of Labor as well as having the of the Government Printing Office. The Hon. Geo. Fowlds takes the portfolio of Minister of Customs, and will be Act-ing-Minister of Defence. The Hon. Dr. Findlay will bo Acting-Postmaster-General and Minister of Telegraphs. The Hon. D. Buddo will be ActingMinister of Lands, and l will also administer the Lands for Settlement Act. The Hon. R. McKenzie will be Minister in charge of roads and bridges. A MESSAGE TO THE PEOPLE. The Prime Minister addresses the following message to tlio people of New Zealand: “The Motherland in the great cause of Imperial defence has called to council with her the free young nations of the Empire, and to-day, with the full consent of both Houses of our Legislature, I leave New Zealand to represent you at the groat Naval Conference in England. Igo with both hopes and regrets. Regrets that I have just now to leave for a few months this country, and my part in the government if its affairs; and vrith hopes that in the part I take in the impending Conference I may justify any inconvenience this country will incur by my absence. With hopes also that the courageous part New Zealand has lately declared herself willing to assume in strengthening the British navy, and the loyal unanimity with which that part has been approved by you, will bind us closer still by all the ties of quickened kinship to the United Kingdom; and with hopes above all that through this Conference and the combined assistance of all the oversea Dominions, the naval defences of the Empire will be so strengthened and organised as to place that supremacy of the seas for our forefathers spent so much in blood and treasure beyond question by oitr foes, and all this for the benefits of a permanent peace, the glory of the Empire, and a closer union with the people of our Motherland. I feel that my mission is a groat one; I am fully sensitive of my responsibilities, but with the blessing of heaven and with the best of my abilities I shall endeavor to acquit myself as your representative in a manner worthy of your count 1 4 > and mine, and of the confidence you have reposed in me. In these hopes 1 bid you a short farewell.”