LEADER OF THE COUNCIL

Southland Times, Issue 19720, 28 November 1925, Page 7

LEADER OF THE COUNCIL

RETIRING MINISTERS WILL SIR JOHN FINDLAY BE CHOSEN f SOME INTERESTING POINTS. WELLINGTON, November 26. Political prophets are still exercising their arts concerning the future of the Government, especially in the matter of reconstruction. The retirement of several Ministers is prophesied, and it is also predicted that there will be a fairly extensive shuffle of portfolios. The leadership of the Legislative Council is one of the positions now vacant. Sir Francis Bell is definitely retiring, and will be leaving the Dominion for a time. Sir Heaton Rhodes had been mentioned as a probable successor, and his recent appointment to the Legislative Council gave a touch of colour to that probability. It is tecognised, however, that the leadership of the Council requires a man with certain qualities and qualifications that are not possessed in any marked degree by the present Minister of Defence. Knotty political and legal problems constantly arise, and they must be faced and solved promptly. For this reason, the leader of the Council should possess not only a legal mind, but a legal training of first-class type. It is predicted that the leadership of the Legislative Council will be offered to Sir John Findlay, K.C. Sir John has most of the qualities that should make for success in that position, and he would be a tower of strength to the Government in the Council, which is not strong on the technical and legal side. It is expected that the high office of Chief Justice will become vacant at the end of the year. The prophets agree that Mr C. P. Skerrett, K.C., will be elevated to the Bench and to the Chief Juatic«ship. It is understood that the position of General Officer Commanding the New Zealand Forces, which became vacant owing to the death of Major-General Melvill a few weeks ago, will not be filled until the Cabinet baa been reconstructed. In the meantime, the Chief of Staff, Colonel Burgess, has been appointed to the position of temporary Ge» oral Officer Commanding.