VICE-REGAL OFFICE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 12 July 1939, Page 6

VICE-REGAL OFFICE

SUCCESSOR TO LORD GALWAY

SUGGESTED APPOINTMENT OF

LEADING BREWER

TALK AT THE AUCKLAND PRESBYTERY. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) AUCKLAND. July 11.

A suggestion that the Government may appoint a leading brewer to succeed d iscount Galway as Governor-

General of the Dominion was

brought before the Auckland I’resbvtery by the Rev J. D.

Smith when he was present-

ing the report of the temper-

ance committee

"Some of you will have noticed,” he said, ‘'that it has been reported that it is the intention of the Government to follow the example of Australia and, instead of having an overseas British subject appointed as Governor-Gener-al, that a New Zealand subject will be appointed and that strong pressure is being brought to bear upon the Government to appoint a leading brewer to that position. I take it that the usual procedure is being followed of throwing out a feeler to see what sort of effect it will have on public opinion. “I hope,” said Mr Smith, “that everyone of you will take the trouble lo write a letter to the Prime Minister and tell him what you think about the proposal. Nothing in my judgment, could bring the law of the country into greater disrepute than to have a brewer appointed as GovernorGeneral (hear hear}, for there is no trade in the country that is responsible for more breaking of the law than the liquor trade. For one who is intimately associated with its affairs to be appointed to be supreme citizen of this country would lower the standard of order and decency more than anything else” (applause). Several members of the Presbytery expressed a desire to know the source of Mr Smith’s information and whether there was anything behind it. Mr Smith replied that it had been a matter of general talk for some time. PROTEST BY SIR E. DAVIS FANTASTIC AND GROTESQUE CANARD. OFFICIAL REFUTATION SOUGHT. AUCKLAND, This Day. The Mayor of Auckland (Sir Ernest Davis) today forwarded the following telegram to the Prime Minister (the Rt Hon M. J. Savage): —“Respectfully draw your attention to a reference at last night's meeting of the Auckland Presbytery to the appointment of the next Governor-General. I take the gravest exception to the insinuations therein —they are r. ridiculous, fantastic and grotesque canard. I would appreciate the protection of an official statement in refutation.”