LEADER OF THE COUNCIL

Otago Witness, Issue 4048, 13 October 1931, Page 9

LEADER OF THE COUNCIL

SIR JAMES PARR’S APPOINTMENT EARLY ANNOUNCEMENT EXPECTED. WELLINGTON, October 8. It is learned authoritatively that Sir James Parr, who recently returned from a term as High Commissioner for New Zealand in London, and who was a former Minister of the Crown in the Reform Government, has been appointed Leader of the Legislative Council, and will take his place in the Upper Chamber at a very early date. A delicate position recently arose over the appointment of the Leader to the Council. When the Coalition Ministry was formed and the portfolios allotted no mention was made of the Leadership of the Council. It was generally assumed that Mr R. Masters had been given this position until it was learned that Cabinet was still discussing it, and the possibility of bringing a leader in from outside Parliament was then mentioned in the lobbies. In view of the fact that Mr Masters holds several important portfolios in the Coalition Cabinet his release from the leadership of the Upper House is not surprising, though the felicitous mention of his inclusion in the Ministry made by a colleague in the Council last week was interpreted as meaning that he had returned to lead the Council permanently. The settlement of this position on the shoulders of Sir James Parr will probably clear up the question of the Chairmanship of Committees which has been delayed since the Coalition Government took over. Seeing that the Reform Party takes the honour of the Council leadership it is expected that Mr Smith will resume his old seat as Chairman of Committees in the House of Representatives.