UNUSUAL POSITION

Hokitika Guardian, 24 November 1933, Page 8

UNUSUAL POSITION

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL LEADER

AND NEW ZEALAND CABINET

WELLINGTON, November 21

For many years past it has been an accepted custom that the leader of the Legislative Council should be a member of the Cabinet, even though he might be a ’member without portifolio. The present leader of tie council (Sir James Parr), however, is not a Cabinet member, anu his somewhat unusual position was referred to by the Et. Hon. Sir Francis Pell during the committee discussion on the Reserve Bank of ’New Zealand Bill in the council today.

In a speech in which he moved to reinsert the word “sole” to Losoribo the right of rote issues to bo given to the central bank, Sir Francis Bell said several times that he would prefer to have the points he raised answered by a member of the Government. The leader of the council, who was in charge of the' bill, was not a member of the Government. Sir Francis suggested that the reason why the Government did not want the word sole in the clause was that is desired the prerogative of issuing Treasury hills. . Sir James Parr: No.

Sir Francis Bell : You don’t know. You are not a member of the Cabinet.

Sir James Parr: Why jibe at me in that way P Sir Francis Bell: My honourable friend does not know anything of the Government’s mini 1 .. Sir James Parr: 1 am in close consulation with the Government. I am going to tell you what the Government’s view is when you will dll online.

Sir Francis Pell: It is not discourtesy. ■ Sir James Parr: I think it is. Sir ■ Francis Pell: When he tells me what is in the mind of the Government, it is hearsay. Subsequently the Hon R.. Masters, who, though only Sir Jamcis Parr's deputy, is a. member of the Cabinet, said he thought Sir Francis had been a little unkind. “Sir James Parr has the mind of the Government on this legislation,”

said Mr Masters. “No one is more closely in touch with the Government and its requirements. ■ I want to' say this liecause I think that Sir "Francis was just a little unkind to him. Sir James is in close touch with the Government and he has the mind of the Government on every measure brought forward.” Sir Francis Bell explained that he had not meant to challenge . Sir James Parr’s position. “I was expressing what might he, possible if this word ‘sole’ was left'; Pui;,’’''“said Sir Francis, “and he said: ‘That is npt the intention of the Government.’ It was there that I challenged him, not regarding the contents of the bill, but regarding his knowledge jof the intentions of the Government.”