THE SPEAKERSHIP

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25364, 23 October 1943, Page 4

THE SPEAKERSHIP

MR MASON MENTIONED PARTY CAUCUS ON WEDNESDAY (Special.) WELLINGTON, Oct. 22. A caucus of the Parliamentary Labour Party is to be held In Wellington on Wednesday. The Prime Minister, Mr P. Fraser, who has been indisposed and confined’ to his home under medical advice, is expected to be present. . „ The two chief subjects before caucus will be the choice of a new Speaker of the House of Representatives and the appointment of a new Minister to fill the vacancy in the Cabinet caused by the defeat at the general election of Mr J. G. Barclay, Minister of Agriculture and Marketing, whose resignation was received this week. After the election and the return of the Government it was generally believed that the choice of a Speaker would rest between the Chairman of Committees, Mr R. McKeen, member for Wellington South, and Mr F. W. Schramm, member for Auckland East, who was chairman of the Statutes Revision Committee of the last Parliament. There is now reason to believe from lobby comment that the Attorneygeneral, Mr H. G. R. Mason, will be offered the Speakership, and that his place in the Cabinet will be filled by Mr Schramm. It is recognised in party circles that Mr Schramm has been in line for elevation to Cabinet rank for some time. The possibility of there being a reallocation of portfolios with the separation. of that of Marketing from its previous association with Agriculture is also being discussed. With the return of Mr B. Roberts (Wairarapa) practically assured in the election count to date his prospects of receiving the portfolio of Agriculture are said to be bright. The name of Mr E. L. Cullen (Hawke’s Bay) has also been associated with this appointment in recent speculation.