VACANCY IN THE CABINET

Press, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 25305, 3 October 1947, Page 6

VACANCY IN THE CABINET

Mr Connolly Strong Contender CHANCES OF MR MCCOMBS (From Our Parliamentary Reporter.) - . WELLINGTON, October 2. . The choice of a member of the Parliamentary Labour Party to succeed Mr James O’Brien in the Cabinet is now facing the Government. Among a number of candidates the two most favoured are Mr T. H. McCombs (Lyttelton) and Mr P. G. Connolly (Dunedin Central). Mr McCombs was run-ner-up when Miss Mabel Howard was elected by caucus to Cabinet rank, but he comes from Christchurch, and Christchurch already has two Ministers, Miss Howard and Mr A. McLagan. Mr Connolly has several points in his favour. He is one of the most popular members in the House, and he has special qualifications for the portfolio of Marine, one of those held by Mr O’Brien, because, both, in the Navy and the Merchant Marine, he has served many years'at sea. Another contender with some claims is Mr Clyde Carr (Timaru), the Chairman of Committees. Mr Carr is a veteran of the party, and his ability has never been questioned. Opinion in the lobbies, however, is that the choice lies between Mr Connolly and Mr McCombs, with the former favoured for geographical reasons. Mr M. Moohan (Petone) is supported in some quarters. He is a new member, but even before he took his seat in the House he was made Parliamentary Under-Secretary. Mr R. M. Macfarlane (Christchurch Central), the senior Government whip, has been high in previous ballots for Ministerial rank, but he, like Mr McCombs, suffers from representing a Christchurch constituency. Mr A, ,G. Osborne, another Parliamentary Under-Secretary to the Prime Minister, may also be a candidate, but his chances are not favoured.