The Press TUESDAY, DECEMBER 3, 1957. One Man, One Job

Press, Volume XCVI, Issue 28450, 3 December 1957, Page 14

The Press TUESDAY, DECEMBER 3, 1957. One Man, One Job

Qeographical considerations alone, apart from questions of experience and ability, would ordinarily assure Christchurch of good representation in Mr Nash's new Government. The most senior, and probably the most respected, of the Christchurch Labour members is the Mayor (Mr Macfarlane), who finds himself in much the same position as Mr D. G. Sullivan in 1935. Mr Sullivan set a good example by deciding that he could not combine the duties of Mayor with those of a member of the Cabinet. Mr Macfarlane, in justice to his colleagues and to the city of Christchurch, should also make up his mind whether he prefers high Government or Parliamentary office to the position he now holds. We have always believed that in modern conditions a member of Parliament should not also be Mayor of Christchurch. because both positions make such demands on a man’s time and energy that to combine them gives the city only a half-time Mayor. The electors have disagreed with us by returning Mr Macfarlane as Mayor in spite of this disability; but we fancy they would take a different view if Mr Macfarlane accepted

greater national responsibilities. We hope there is no substance in reports that he would accept election as Speaker of the House of Representatives while retaining the Mayoralty. Such a course would lower the dignity of both offices (and the dignity of Mr Macfarlane), quite apart from the practical difficulties of directing two separate and large undertakings. If Mr Macfarlane wishes to retain the Mayoralty of Christchurch, which is itself no mean honour, Christchurch would probably be glad to have him remain as chief citizen for the remainder of his term, and the Labour Party could presumably find someone else to preside over Parliament or take a seat at the Cabinet table. If he would rather take a larger part in national government, the Labour Party is surely not so impoverished that it could find no other suitable aspirant to the Mayoralty. Mr Macfarlane himself would discount any suggestion that he is indispensable to his party or to the city in either capacity, though they may be pleased to have him in whichever he may choose. “ One man, one job ” used to be a Labour maxim. It still sounds well.