PARLIAMENT.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1195, 2 August 1911, Page 6

PARLIAMENT.

THE COUNCIL.

POSITION OF LEADER;

STATEMENT BY HON. J. M'GOWAN,

The Legislative Council met at 7.30 last night-, the Hon. W. C. I'V Camcross (Tarnnaki) occupying the Speaker's chair in tho absence of the Hon. Sir C. C. Bowen.

The Hon. J. M'GOWAN, beforo coraracneing the business of tho evening, stated that he had boon asked by the Prime Minister and by the Acting-Prime Minister to endeavour to carry out the duties of Sir John Pindlay as Leader of the-. Council. Ho had consented because ho considered the leadership of tho Council an honour and because ho was satisfied: that he would get all tho assistance from the Council that anyono could reasonably ask. .

Tho'Hon. J. E. JENKINSON thought ; the Council could congratulate itself on ! the appointment made and .thought he ; conld assure the Hon. Mr. Jl'Gowan of ; the assistance of every member of tho Council. (Hear, hoar.) The Hon. J. BIGG endorsed tho re- . marks made by the previous speaker. The i explanation, however, would not have '■' been.rendered necqssary_if they had received a forma! communication which he ■'. considered they had a right to. An over- ; sight had made the explanation necesi. Fary and he was not sure that they should ; not even now have some formal communi- :■' cation from a Minister of the Crown. The Hon. J. M'Gowan said no form of communication was necessary other , than that" ho had givon.