LABOUR PARTY

Grey River Argus, 8 November 1939, Page 4

LABOUR PARTY

CAUCUS COMPLETED. [Per Press Association.] WELLINGTON, October 6. The caucus of members of the Parliamentary Labour Paj-ty concluded to-night, after a meeting extending over the morning afternoon and evening. The Prime Minister (the Rt. Hon. M. J. Savage), presided for the greater part of the day, and when he left for his home in the late afternoon his place was taken by the Minister for Finance (the Hon. W. Nash), who also took the chair when tne "caucus resumed’ after the tea adjournment, The last of the business .’as completed just before 11 p.m.

UNDER-SECRETARIAL APPOINTMENTS. [Per Press Association.] WELLINGTON, November 6. The Prime Minister (the Rt. Hon. M. J. Savage), said to-day when the Labour Party caucus adjourned that u.e question of appointing Parliamentary Under-Secretaries was being considered; but the conclusion had been reached that it was undesirable to make appointments at the present stage. "Things are too indefinite, and the better thing to do is to use our members to assist the Cabinet under the 'old system of co-option," he said. NEW MINISTERS. [Per Press Association]. WELLINGTON, November 7. Although the appointment of Pariamentary under-secretaries to assist Ministers has been under discussion

in Government circles for some time, the Prime Minister (Mr. Savage) said to-day, when the party caucus adourned at midday, that this question had been considered, but the conclusion had been reached that it would be undesirable, to make appointments .at the present stage. “Things are too indefinite.” added Mr. Savage, “and the better thing to do is to use our members to assist Cabinet as we have been doing under the old system of co-opting them for service. However what will be done ultimately in this respect will be determined as things develop.” There has alsc been the expectation that the Hon. David Wilson, Leader of the Legislative Council, would be appointed to Cabinet rank, as was done in the case of his predecessor. No official information is available, but it can be taken for granted that Mr. Wilson will shortly be appointed as a member of the Executive wi'thut portfolio. Hon. D. Wilson APPOINTED TO CABINET. [Per Press Association.] WELLINGTON, November 7 The Prime Minister, Rt. Hon. M. J. Savage, announced to-day that, the Governor-General has appointed Hon. David Wilson, M.L.C., as a member of the Executive Council, without portfolio.