"Of course the independent existence and ultimate nature of matter is a question for metaphysics and not for science." (p. 34)
McTaggart means by "matter" unconscious being possessing certain properties whereas I think that, philosophically, "matter" means just pre-conscious being whatever its properties. Although the existence of such matter is a metaphysical theory, empirical scientists now tell us much more about its nature than metaphysicians can.
McTaggrat says that, when a material object ceases to exist, all that happens is that its units cease to be combined. (p. 63) But there is also the continual process of entropy by which all energy gradually ceases to be active. Thus, eventually, separated units will no longer recombine unless another universe starts as this one somehow did.
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