WHO WILL BE GOVERNOR

Taranaki Daily News, 30 April 1930, Page 9

WHO WILL BE GOVERNOR

AUSTRALIAN CONTROVERSY

MR. SCULLIN KEEPS SILENCE

INDIGNANT AT LEAKAGE

By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright.

Rec. 11.15 p.m. -Sydney, April 29. Sharp controversy has arisen throughout Australia concerning the probability of the appointment of an Australian to the Governor-Generalship. A largo section of the people has already expressed opposition to the innovation. The Prime Minister (Mr. J. H.-Scullin), however, declines to make any statement. He describes it as a delicate question.

A London message states that the Morning Post’s special correspondent says that while Whitehall maintains complete silence it is fairly clear what has happened. Mr. Scullin wanted an Australian Governor-General and decided upon Sir Isaac Isaacs, who was prepared- to accept. Cabinet accepted his name and then submitted it to Britain. In other words, Sir Isaac Isaacs was recommended, but Mr. Scullin may thereby have committed a breach of courtesy if not of the Constitution. It is the practice for His Majesty to submit names to the Dominions for their consideration, continues the correspondent. There may be no reason why an Australian born man should not be the King’s representative, but it is for His Majesty to say who will be. In such an eventuality His Majesty would want full assurances that the appointment would meet with practically unanimous approval. This is definitely not the case in the present situ- y ation.

Returned soldiers’ organisations oppose the idea, and.so do other representative bodies. Moreover, Sir Isaac 'lsaacs is 75 years of age. Mr. Scullin waxed indignant because a leakage of the information had occurred, but it was a fortunate accident, as public opinion has had an opportunity of expressing itself on an issue ’of ggrave Imperial importance.