THE ATTORNEY-GENERALSHIP.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XLI, Issue 11401, 21 November 1917, Page 8

THE ATTORNEY-GENERALSHIP.

SIR FRANCIS BELL. TO HAVE IT.

Wo are authoritatively assured, in reference to the speculation on the Ministerial situation in our yesterday's issue, that there is no 'likelihood of the portfolio of Attorney-General being offered to either Mr Hunan or Mr Wilford when Mr Herdman becomes ,a judge in January or February nest. When the Massey Government was originally formed, the general opinion in the party was that Sir Francis Bell should become AttorneyGeneral, but Mr Herdmsn insisted on having the position, and especially so in view of his services to the parjty in the House and on the platform. Therefore, when the vacancy occurs, it will be offered to Sir Francis Bell, who gave way in Mr tJerdman’s favour previously. The A tttorney-General is a privileged individual in so ffir lie is entitled to nominate himself to the Supreme < ourt bench, df it happened, for example, that Sir Robert Stout chose to retire from the position of Chief Justice, the Attoruy-Gener. 1 practically holds the rigiit of succession to that exalted office in the Judiciary. The “Reform” 'party are not unmindful of this fact, and the prospects of Messrs Hauau and Wilford may ho estimated accordingly.—N. Z. Times.