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Pmd S APRIL 22-- " : Hepburn Backs Choice fM.L.A. for Li OfM.L.A. for Liquor Post Defending his stand in appointing | embarrassing position "in which he a member of the Legislature to the will inevitably find himself." position of Ontario Liquor Commis=| "Making this appointment in this sioner, Premier HMepburn yesterday:| way," he said, "is simply inviting for the first time, publicly named|the charge of political administra-- Hon. A. St. Clair Gordon (Lib., West|tion, I would urge the Premier not 'Kent») as his choice--to succeed th¢|to place this very fine man in an late E. G. Odette. embarrassing position." A bill amending the Liquor Con--| Premier Hepburn recalled many trol Act to permit Mr. Gordon 10| precedents for his action. Hon. Dr. retain his seat in the House after | R. J. Manion, National Conservative accepting the position. was E£1V€N | Leader, he said, had been a member second reading, but only after the|of the Liquor Control Board while Conservative Opposition had forced | retaining his seat at Ottawa. Sena-- a division, resulting in a 4&to--l2 vIC-- | top Arthur Meighen had been mem-- 'tory for the government side of th¢ | ber of the Hydro Commission while | House. still Conservative Leader of the \_Colonel Drew, who led the Con--|Senate. | servative Part.\"S_OPPO-"'lUO" to th¢} "Regardless of any commission | measure, emphasized the fact that| that may be appointed," he said, «[ |his stand was prompted by the high | nave found that this government | regard he held for Mr. Gordon and | pas to take full responsibility. You !thc desire that the new comMiSs--| pan't divorce the administration of sioner should not be placed in the | the Liquor Control Board from the semnpnamenpeemecanempee en m * l responsibility of this government. I want the chairman right in this House so he can answer charges when they are made." The Premier paid high tribute to the "many sterling qualities" which had led him to select Mr. Gordon for the position. The government, * 'he said, had never made a more popular appointment. "Mr. Gordon's huge majority in |\ the last election indicates that he 1holds the confidence of the people 4 \in his own riding," Mr. Hepburn | said. "He is a keen executive, and 'a real asset to the people of On-- tario. I tried to induce him to join the Ministry in 1937, but he was forced to decline owing to pressure of his own business. I was very happy when, under my persuasive | powers, he consented to take this position."