Brewer as Governor-General?

Northern Advocate, 13 July 1939, Page 7

Brewer as GovernorGeneral?

[Special to “Northern Advocate”l AUCKLAND, Wednesday.

Xt was stated at a meeting of the Auckland Presbytery last night that there is a suggestion that the Government may appoint a leading brewer to succeed Viscount Galway as Gover-nor-General. “Some of you will have noticed,” said the Rev. J. D. Smith, “that it has been reported that it is the intention of the Government to follow the example of Australia, and, instead of having an overseas British subject appointed as Governor-General, that a New Zealand subject 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 the usual procedure is being followed of throwing out a feeler to see what sort of effect it will have on public opinion, “I hope that every one of you will take the trouble to write a letter to the Prime Minister and tell him what you think about the proposal,” Mr Smith added.

Several members expressed a desire to know the source of Mr Smith’s information, and whether there was anything behind it. Mr Smith, said it had been a matter of general talk for some time, and in the last issue of the “Vanguard” it was given definite expression. Those responsible for the “Vanguard” in Wellington were in touch with what was going on, and had thought it worth while to publish that this was being mooted in political circles.

Sir Ernest Davis Seeks Official Refutation

[Per Press Association. Copyright.lt AUCKLAND, Wednesday.

When a statement made by the Auckland Presbytery was referred to Sir Ernest Davis today, he declined to comment further than stating that he had forwarded the following telegram to the Prime Minister, Mr Savage: “I respectfully draw your attention in reference to last night’s meeting of the Auckland Presbytery, of the appointment of the next GovernorGeneral. I take the gravest exception to the insinuation therein—ridiculous, fantastic and grotesque as canard is. I would appreciate the protection of an official statement in refutation.”

Question Never Discussed, Says Mr Savage

(From Our Parliamentary Reporter) WELLINGTON, Wednesday.

“•The question has never been discussed by the Government, and I regret that any well-known citizens should be embarrassed by any such statement,’’ declared the Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. M. J. Savage,- in an interview today, when the suggestion that a leading brewer might be considered as the next Governor-General was referred to him.

Mr Savage said he had never heard the proposal except from newspaper men, in the shape of rumours. The report was the subject of an urgent question addressed to Mr Savage in the House of Representatives this afternoon by Mr C. W. Boswell. Mr Savage’s reply followed the lines quoted above.