OFFICES TO BE FILLED

Press, Volume LXXI, Issue 21413, 4 March 1935, Page 10

OFFICES TO BE FILLED

♦ POSITIONS CREATED BY LEGISLATION COMMISSION AND BOARDS [From Our Parliamentary Reporter.J WELLINGTON, March 2. The Government is faced with the task of selecting men to fill several offices which have been created by legislation brought down since the resumption of the session. In all, about 26 appointments are involved. First, three members are required for the Bondholders' Incorporation Commission, established under the Companies (Bondholders Incorporation) Bill, which has already been passed by both Houses. Second, the Mortgage Corporation Bill now before the House of Representatives contemplates the setting up of a board of management of eight directors. I» additional, several associate directors are to be appointed in the provinces. The number of associates is not stated in the new clause the Government proposes to add to the bill, but it is expected that there will be at least eight or nine. Possibly there will be one appointment for each land district, of which there are 12 in New Zealand.

It may be assumed that the Government has already in mind several suitable appointees, both for the Bondholders' Commission and for the Mortgage Corporation Board. Mr J. S. Barton It is expected that Mr J. S. Barton, who -was chairman of the recent Companies Commission, will hold an important office in one or other of the two new bodies. Current speculation that Sir William Hunt would be a member of the Mortgage Corporation Boa' 1 was at the bottom of an attempt by Mr R. A. Wright (Tnd., Wellington Suburbs) in the House last week to secure an amendment excluding any person interested in the stock and station agency business. An early announcement is expected of the personnel of the Bondholders' Commission, but appointments to the Mortgage Corporation Board cannot be made until the bill has become an act. Wider scope is given the Government in the selecting of seven members of the new Broadcasting Board, which, under the bill introduced last week, will take office on April 1. It is expected that, while due heed will be given to the need for men with business experience, the appointments will also include men with a knowledge of the arts. The enlargement of the functions of the board compared with the present body, and the abolition of the advisory council, make it essential that the new board should be one of diversified talent. No indication has yet been given whether the three members of the present board, Messrs H. D. Vickery, G. R. Hutchinson, and L. R. C. Macfarlane, will be reappointed.