FINANCE MINISTER’S STAFF

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 91, 11 January 1935, Page 8

FINANCE MINISTER’S STAFF

Economic Adviser

PROFESSOR H. BELSHAW APPOINTED

Dr. H. Belshaw, who has been Professor of Economics at Auckland University College since, 1897, ( has been appointed to tlie Secretarial staff of the Minister of Finance, the Rt. Hon., J. G. Coates. As the author of numerous writings on economic subjects, including “The Provision of Credit in- New Zealand with Special Reference to Agriculture,” it is anticipated that his knowledge will be of assistance to the Administration in formulating legislative proposals in respect of mortgage finance. Professor Belshaw was born a{

Wigan, Lancashire, in 189 S. He was educated at the Christchurch Boys’ High School, the Christchurch Teachers’ Training College, Canterbury College, and Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge. He is an M.A. with firstclass honours Of the University of New Zealand, and a Cambridge Ph.D. During his career in New Zealand he has been a school teacher, a tutor for the Workers’ Educational Association both in Wellington and South Canterbury, and a Professor of Economics. He was a member of the New Zealand Industrial Conference in 1928, a delegate to the Institute of Pacific Relations Conference in Japan in 1929, a member of the Economic Committee in 1931, and a member of the Companies’ Special Investigation Commission. Thus his wide experience of subjects which’ will be prominent in legislative measures this year should be of great value to the Ministry.

PROFESSOR’S DUTIES

Statement by Mr. Coates

Dominion Special Service. Auckland, January 10.

An announcement that Professor 11. Belshaw, professor of economies at Auckland University College, had joined his secretarial staff was made by the Minister of Finance, the Rt. Hou. J. G. Coates, in the course of a telephone conversation with the “Herald” from Dargaville.

Mr. Coates said that Professor Belshaw had joined his staff as one of his private secretaries, the appointment being for 12 months. His duties would be to prepare returns and general statistical information o'n economic matters and generally to discuss all such matters with the Minister as they affected the departmental work. Similar duties have been performed during the past few years by Dr. Campbell, private 'secretary to Mr. Coates, who is leaving for England shortly to act for a period as economic adviser at the High Commissioner’s office in London.

“I expect that Professor Belshaw will be able to do very useful work in bis new position,” Mr. Coates said. “Not only should his expert advice he of assistance to the Government, but the experience he gains of administrative affairs should also be of great value to him when he resumes his professorial duties at the university.” Professor Belshaw has been granted leave of absence for a year by the Auckland University College . Council, and next year he will take his sabbatical year's leave, which he would ordinarily have taken this year.