SIR JAMES PARR JOINS THE GOVERNMENT.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 9 October 1931, Page 4

SIR JAMES PARR JOINS THE GOVERNMENT.

APPOINTED LEADER OF LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Oct. 9. Mr Forbes announced to-day that the Governor-General has appointed Sir James Parr a member of the Legislative Council and that it had been arranged that he should &l\ the position of Leader of the Council. "I should like, to intimate," Mr Forbes said,' "That when at my request the Hon. Eobt. Masters assumed the portfolios of Education and Industries and Commerce in the Coalition Government, he informed me that, having regard to the onerous responsibilities of his new Ministerial duties, he would be unable to undertake the additional work devolving upon him as Leader of the Council, a position which, iri the ab■senco of Sir Thomas Sidey in London he had rilled with conspicuous ability. Mr Masters felt himself reluctantlycompelled therefore to ask that, he be relieved of the position of Leader of the 'Council. • I acquiesced and Sir James Parr will be entrusted with the duties of leader." Continuing, Mr Forbes said: "In this appointment well-established precedent has been followed. Sir James Parr had considerable ministerial experience prior to his appointment as High Commissioner. Parliament will now be able again to have the advantage of his experience and knowledge of public affairs just as in the case of his predecessors, who on their return to the Dominion were similarly apointed to the Council. I am thinking particularly of Sir Wm. Hall Jones, Sir Thomas Mackenzie and Sir James Allen. I may say also that Sir James Parr's legal attainments as a (barrister, of many years standing will be of special value in the Council, which is largely a revising chamber. As the personnel of the Coalition Government was fixed at ten members, the ap--pointment does not involve a seat on the Executive 'Council or Cabinet.. MiMasters will continue to act as Ministerial representative of the Government in the Council. Sir James Panwill Ibe sworn in and take his seat in the Council next sitting day."