Cabinet Vacancy

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 143, 7 September 1927, Page 8

Cabinet Vacancy

Mr. Dickson Favoured Government Has Difficult Task (TUB SUN S Parliamentary Kcporte .) WELLINGTON. Tuesday. WHILE the Government, for obvious reasons, mil not hasten its decision in tilling the Cabinet vacancy caused b'v Mr. Bollard's death, the Prime Minister shortly will have to choose a new lieutenant from the ranks of the Kelorm Party: and, while the chance of Mr. J. S. Dickson, senior Government Whip, has been discounted to some extent, his claims to Ministerial position cannot be overlooked eithei by Mr. Coates or any of his ten associates around the Cabinet table.

TT was at first suggested that Mr. Dickson would not entertain the offer of Cabinet appointment were it made to him, because of his refusal of a similar appointment some time ago; but it is. learned that the member for

Parnell is quite prepared to forsake his position as senior whip and take a portfolio if the Prime Minister is prepared to reiterate his previous offer. When the only two eligibles (for the eligibles are quite simply narrowed to two) are considered, It will have to he remembered "that Mr. Dickson has been a faithful adherent of the party since 1911, when he entered the House for Parnell, and that he has to his credit seven years as whip, having served as junior to the late Mr. R. F. Bollard. The possibility Is that his energetic service in the interests of the Government will provide the only bar to his ascension to Cabinet rank, some of the members of the Ministry holding the belief that he is a man too valuable to lose from the position of senior whip. On the other hand, if the other

eligible is chosen, the chairmanship of committees will he left vacant, and the Government will be faced with a difficulty there as well. Lobby gossips consider, however, that these considerations should not be held of sufficient importance to de-

bar any member from taking his place among the legislators of the day, and if the Government is still convince! of the value of Mr. J. S. Dickson as an aspirant to Ministerial place, his position as whip should not be the instrument to stay the beckoning finger of Mr. Coates. If the present chairman of committees, Mr. F. F. Hockly, were selected to fill the vacancy, another farmers’ representative would sit at the chosen table. The member for Parnell would provide the only commercial representative of the Cabinet as well as giving Auckland City a man. Before the Cabinet vacancy is filled, however, much water will have to flow beneatn the legislative bridge and much of the country’s business will have to he transacted, so that members will be able to get back to their farms and their businesses to prepare for the summer season.