THOSE COUNCIL APPOINTMENTS.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 132, 10 July 1914, Page 10

THOSE COUNCIL APPOINTMENTS.

[From our own Parliamentary Reporter.] WELLINGTON, July 10. Now that the Address-in-Reply debate has ended, other and more important subjects are again being discussed in the lobbies. The question of the Legislative Council appointments is uppermost, and members of both Houses are beginning to grow impatient at the delay in the announcement. Information received to-day goes to bear out the correctness of THE SUN J S predictions so far, especially in regard to the two latest "picks"—Messrs «T. Mac Gibbon (Mataura) and A. T. Maginnity (Nelson). The greatest interest attaches to the position of the members who recently retired. A statement was made to a SUN representative this morning by one in high authority, that not. one of these would be brought back. This statement is rather surprising, as one or two at least seemed to have claims to be considered. The name of the Hon. J. R. Sinclair was specially mentioned by your representative, but he was told that Mr Sinclair had a very remote chance of reappointment. It has been argued that his position as a member of the Imperial Trade Commission entitled him to special consideration, while, last session, he was also a hearty supporter of the elective principle as proposed by the Government. It was replied that Mr Sinclair's position on the Commission would be in no wise affected by his ceasing to be a member of the Legislature. A prominent Liberal member of the Council backed up this announcement. He said he expected none of the old members would be reappointed, and certainly the last two to retire, the Hon. J. Jonkinson and the Hon. John Rigg, had no chance whatever. His opinion was that the Government would take the opportunity of rewarding a number of old tried supporters who had stuck to the party through thick and thin during the long period it was in opposition. There is not the slightest indication yet when the list of appointments will be made known. On this point Ministers are as close as oysters.