NEW BLOOD

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26584, 6 October 1947, Page 4

NEW BLOOD

LABOUR BENCHES AVERAGE AGE LOWERED ACCESSION OF MR FREER Political Correspondent WELLINGTON. Oct. 5. The swearing-in of the new member for Mount Albert, Mr Warren Freer, will be an event of interest in Parliament this week. The accession of this youthful newcomer is welcomed by Labour members, as they recognise that a rejuvenation of their party is long overdue. For some years, although Labour had safe seats such as Dunedin North at its disposal, no serious attempt was made to introduce younger blood. Last year a serious effort was made to put forward younger candidates, and the result was the election of two promising new members. Mr A. C. Baxter and Mr A. M. Finlay. Candidate for Westland

With the addition of Mr Freer, the average on the Government benches will now be reduced, and it is improbable that the Opposition will still be able to claim that it is a younger party than the Government. There is a possibility, too, that the Government may choose a youthful candidate for the Westland by-election, now pending. One whose name is mentioned is Mr P. McGavin, a Wellington lawyer, who made a creditable showing against Mr C. M. Bowden at Karori in the last election. He was born at Hokitika and is still in his early thirties. Mr W. J. Butler, a Greymouth newspaper man who until recently was a Labour Party organiser, has also been mentioned. He was largely responsible for preparing the Labour candidate's case in the Raglan electoral petition. A third possible candidate for nomination is Mr Pat Blanchfield, the Deputy Mayor of Greymouth, a rising figure in Labour politics on the Coast, and a fourth is a well-known Westland farmer. Mr Mark Wallace, who has been active for many years in the Labour organisation. Whoever gets the Labour nomination can consider himself elected, as Westland to-day is one of the safest Labour seats. In 1928 the late Mr O’Brien’s majority was only 185 votes, but he soon acquired a large personal following, to which was added last year huge Labour majorities in the mining centres of Runanga, Blackball and Ngahere,. which were incorporated in Westland when the boundaries were extended.

Although it faces an adverse majority of 4716 votes, which was the sixth largest Labour majority in New Zealand. the National Party will contest the by-election if for no other reason than to use it as a means of placing current political issues before the country. The campaign is likely to take several weeks, and as there will be some contentious legislation before the House in the remaining stages of the session, any Cabinet Ministers who wish to participate may have to depend upon the co-operation of the Opposition in granting pairs. Cabinet Vacancy

Of more immediate concern than the Westland by-election is the appointment of a new Cabinet Minister to succeed Mr O’Brien. At the present time the member whose name is being most widely canvassed is the Junior Government Whip, Mr P. G. Connolly. In normal circumstances the most likely candidates would be the three under-secretaries, Mr A. G. Osborne, Mr T. H. McCombs and Mr M. Moohan, but it appears possible that Mr Connolly will be favoured and Mr McCombs be once again an “ also ran.” Last week the House seemed unnaturally quiet, as there was an exodus of members, some going to Mr O’Brien’s funeral, while others took the opDortunity of visiting their homes. Those members who live in remote electorates see very little of their homes during the session, as the distances are too great to make it worth while going home during the short week-end adjournments.

One question that may come up again shortly is the report of the Licensing Commission. Mr Fraser has indicated that no legislation on the commission’s report will come down this session, but some aspects oi licensing will be involved in the Masterton legislation, which has been before a special committee and will come back shortly to the House. The vexed question is of the sale of liquor in restaurants is wrapped up in this. Protests from many different parts of the country have reached members on this issue, and the reappearance of the Masterton Bill will be awaited with interest.