CHOSEN FOR ABILITY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19235, 26 January 1926, Page 10

CHOSEN FOR ABILITY.

NEW MINISTER "HONOURED

MR. ROLLESTON AT TIMARU,

DISTRICT'S CONGRATULATIONS.

[BY TELEGRAPH.—OWN CORRESPONDENT. ] TIMARU. Monday.

The Hon, F. J. Rolleston, Minister of Justice and Defence, was to-day publicly congratulated by between 50 and 60 electors of Timaru on his recent elevation to Cabinet rank.

The Mayor, Mr. G. J. Wallace, said that every section of the community, whether opposed to Mr. Rolleston politically or not, congratulated him on his success. No doubt the Prime Minister in selecting the. members of his Cabinet had been guided by circumstances. Length of service had no doubt sometimes carried weight, but it had not done so in Mr. Rolleston's case. It was purely ability that had resulted in his appointment. No member had criticised the Government more tellingly than he had done, so it would not be because of that that he was chosen. The Prime Minister had recognised that Mr. Rolleston was one of the strongest men in Parliament and that he was a man whose arguments would always carry weight. The defence of the country would not suffer in his hands, although the speaker was inclined in the belief that Mr. Rolleston was more of a pacifist than a militarist.

On behalf of the citizens he wished Mr. Rolleston long life, not only as a man, but also as a politician. The present step was only one in a long career and Timaru might yet be able to boast of its Prima Minister. (Hear, hear.) He felt sure the step was only one on the political ladder to something higher and Mr. Rolleston would carry with him the best wishes of the people for his future success. (Applause.) Mr. T. B. Gar rick, chairman of the Levels County Council, joined with the Mayor in congratulating Mr. Rolleston on his promotion. He felt tho Prime Minister had made a great choice. (Applause. ) Mr. M. J. Knubley, president of the Law Society,, extended to Mr. Rolleston the hearty congratulations of the society, of which he was a member. Had Mr. Rolleston given as much time to Supreme Court work as he had to politics he would have been a K.C. or might even have been elevated to the Supreme Court Bench. There was time for him to do that yet. They had come to recognise that he was able to stand on his own legs and was not relying on the fact that he was the son of the Hon. William Rolleston. Ho had already madee a name for himself and his children would be as proud of him as Mr. Rolleston had been of his father. (Applause.) On rising to reply Mr. Rolleston was greeted with hearty applause. They would appreciate the fact that his task of replying was a difficult one and he was sincere when he said he could not find words adequately to express his gratitude. He looked back on his association with's Mr. Wallace and Mr. Gitrrick with great pleasure. He realised now, having gained a responsible position, his indebtedness to the men with whom he had served on local bodies. Only during the past two or three years had he come to realise, the splendid training local-body work was for fitting a person for national politics. Any success he had gained was due to that.

A public position offered considerable difficulties and no man undertook a position like the one he had undertaken without some misgivings. He hoped he would be able to carry out bis duty in some measure approximating the confidence placed.-in him by the electors. He felt the honour conferred on him was an honour ,on the district which he represented. He hoped that in the" future lie would in some small way prove worthy of the kind things that had been said about him (Applause.)