HIGH COMMISSIONER

Greymouth Evening Star, 18 June 1930, Page 11

HIGH COMMISSIONER

> SIR G. RYRIE’S SUCCESSOR. SYDNEY. June 6. > Discusisons have taken place in Federal political circles recent-.y wiL regard to the question of appoiutin.-, .. successor to Sir GranviHe I«-Ji •■> whose term as High Commissions will expire shortly. The discussions centre round ua tames of. the Treasurer, Mi Hiiom’.,, •and tho Minister for Customs, Mi Fenton. Mr Theodore is no long.i looked upon as likely to succeed - 1 Scullin in the Prime Ministership. Since the Federal elections the position of Mr Scullin as leader of the party has been greatly strengthened, while it is doubtful whether th'' deputy leader, Mr Theodore, could muster anything like the same following as he did when the Ministry was elected. Reports from the Dalle? electorate indicate that in this Laboui stronghold Mr Theodore, will be challenged in the next selection ballot, and recent. Queensland and New Guinea developments aro already being used to the disadvantage of Mr Theodore by prospective candidates among' the leagues throughout the electorate.-'1 he appointment to the High Commissionership would take Mr Theodore out of (lie hurly-burly of politics, am.! would enable him to remain a force in Australian affairs in Loudon. Supporters of Mr Theodore in the Federal Parliament, point out that, his knowledge of finance- would excellently equip him for the position of High Commissioner at the present time, when his expert knoweklge of new

loans and loan renewals would be most, useful. Mi' Fenton, it is pointed out, has increased his prestige during his representation of the Commonwealth in England, and ins spirited defence of lh<. Australian fiscal policy has greatly pleased the strong protectionists of tho Federal Labour Party as well as tho Australian manufacturers. Some o,' the members from New South Wales consider that there is too much Victorian influence in the Federal Cabinet, and that, therefore, the appointment of Mr Fenton world give an opportunity of better equalising tho interstate representation. It is generally assumed that if Mr Fenton is appointed to tho position Mr Forde would become Mblister for Customs. Mr Forde is me of t'm hardest workers in Hie Cabinet, and has created a favourable impression among members for the manner in which he has attended to the groat mass of detail work associated -with the Customs portfolio. In the event of either Mr Theodore or Mr Fenton being appointed to the position, a Labour member from Now South Wales would probab'y lie appointed to the vacancy. Those with the strongest claims would include Mr L. Cunningham, Mr P. Coleman, at present representing Australia at Geneva, and Mr E. Riley.