Brewer as Governor-General?

Manawatu Times, Volume 64, Issue 162, 12 July 1939, Page 5

Brewer as GovernorGeneral?

Rumour Alarms Presbyterians FEELERS TO TEST PUBLIC OPINION? Per Press Association. AUCKLAND, July 11. A suggestion that the Government may appoint a leading brewer to succeed Viscount Galway as Governor-General of the Dominion was brought before the Auckland Presbytery by Rev. J. D. 'Smith when he was presenting the report of the Temperance Committee. “Some of you will havo noticed," he said, “that it has been reported that it is the intention of the Government to follow the example of Australia and instead of having an overesus British subject appointed as Governor-General that a New Zealand subject will be appointed and that strong pressure is being brought to bear upon the Government to appoint a leading brewer to that position. “I take it that tho usual procedure is being followed of throwing out a feeler to see what sort of effect it will have on public opinion. I hope, ’ ’ said Mr. Smith, “that everyone of you will take the trouble to write a letter to tho Prime Minister and tell him what you think about the proposal. Nothing in my judgment could bring the law of the country into greater disrepute than to have a brewer appointed as GovernorGeneral. (Hear, hear.) For there is no trade in the country that is responsible for more bcaking of tho law than the liquor trade. For one who is intimately associated with its affairs to be appointed to be the supreme citizen of this country would lower the standard of order and decency more than anything else." (Applause.) Several members of the presbytery expressed a desire to know the source of Mr. Smith's information and whether there was anything behind it. Mr. Smith replied that it had been a matter of general talk for some time.