HIGH COMMISSIONER

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 2, Issue 335, 23 September 1932, Page 5

HIGH COMMISSIONER

(Special Commissioner) .

GOVT. IN QUANDARY mr. coates and mr. masters both possible nominees THE EDUCATION PORTFOLIO

Wellington, Thursday. Although Sir Thomas Wilford has*" intimated to the Government his desire to relinquish the High Commissionership at the end of the year when his term is up, it is expeeted the Government will ask him to extend the term for a further period. The Government is in a quandary about a successor to the office. Mr. Coates is stated to be a likely candidate, but his presence is needed until the end of the year at least, in connection with Ottawa business. Another minister said *o be in the running is Mr. Masters, but the choice | would not be a popular one as there i is a growing feeling in the House that Mr. Masters should not hold the portfolio of Education, which involves the expenditure of a big sum of money. The House of Representatives is extremely jealous of its right to control the State purse. It will be remembered that during the Seddon administration, an effective protest. in the way of an adverse vote on the education estimates, resulted in the portfolio of education being taken from the Upper House to the Lower. It is freely stated in the lobbies that the reason why Mr. Masters holds the portfolio of education is that he is immune from the wrath of the electorate.