PERSONNEL OF COMMITTEES.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LII, Issue 269, 13 October 1932, Page 7

PERSONNEL OF COMMITTEES.

MEMBERS LEFT OUT. GOVERNMENT QUESTIONED. WELLINGTON, Oct. 12. In the House to-day, Mr A. M. Samuel said he would like to ask the Government what procedure was adopted in setting up select committees. He referred particularly to the committee connected with defence. He was the senior military member in the House and had been left off the committee. He had been led to believe that it was left in the hands of the Whips to make recommendations regarding the personnel of the committees. He was not suggesting that he was being penalised for any action ho had taken in the House. It was possible that he had been too sympathetic towards the claims of returned soldiers, though he could not see how anyone could be too sympathetic. Mr W. J. Jordan said Mr- Samuel had been a very useful member of the committee.

The Prime Minister, Mr Forbes, said that in setting up the committees an attempt had been made to dovetail the work so that no member would be embarrassed by having to serve on too many. MEMBER WITHDRAWS.

Mr D. McDougall requested that he be allowed to withdraw from the committee in favour of Mr Samuel, remarking that he considered Mr Samuel knew more about defence matters than ho did. On the motion of the Prime Minister, the House agreed to this course. Information as to the reason he had not been re-appointed to the Lands Committee was sought by Mr W. J. Poison. Hq pointed out that he was keenly interested in the work of the committee. He had had a clash -with the Minister in respect of the claims relating to lands. Now he found himself off the committee, but he hoped not in consequence of that clash. It was unsatisfactory to have one’s services dispensed with and not know the reason. . Mr J. A. Macplierson pointed out that he had been left off the Agrieul-. tural Committee, and Mr R. Semple considered a practical miner should be a member of the Mines Committee. He suggested that Mr W. E. Parry be appointed. Mr Forbes said lie would be pleased to consider the various points raised.