The Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. FRIDAY, AUGUST 28, 1891. THE NEXT AGENT-GENERAL.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XII, Issue 2446, 28 August 1891, Page 2

The Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. FRIDAY, AUGUST 28, 1891. THE NEXT AGENT-GENERAL.

Tho Question of who is to succeed Sir Francis Dillon Bell as AgeritGeneral is on< J that is severely exercising Parliamentary, and official circles. It must be decided before long, and'as it is a matter that affects the welfare of the whole colony it will not be amiss to look at the qualifications of those whose names rumour has most loudly associated with the appointment. Sir George Grey may at once be dismissed from consideration; his rissipnary and impracticable nature is a complete bar to his being selected to represent the colony. The Premier, Mr Ballance, is said to be m a condition of health that will preclude his much longer continuance m the position of head of the Government. There can be no question -of his personal fitness for the j position, or of his capacity to discharge the duties of the office efficiently. His intimate knowledge of the finances and resources of the colony and his emdoubted patriotism Svould ensure out being kept '-prominently and m a favourable light before the English public. There could be little cavil at. Mr Ballance's taking the appointment/ but the question -will be, ban he be spared here? Another very suitable representative is at hand m the At-torney-General, Mr Buckley. His social and professional standing, his political experience, his good! address, and the great tact and intimate acquaintance with the affairs fbf- the; colony shown m the conduct of the Government business intheliegislatiyq Council, all point to him as possessing the qualities necessary m an AgentGeneral, while he ould have the advantage at Home of the reflected lustre, derived from hisfamily connection with the late Sir William Fitzherbert,, Mr Buckley, likf> Mr Ballance, dould not accept the post without sacrificing his leading position m the coloiny.' According to a great number of the gossips it .has already been decided that Mr Perceval, the Chairman of Committees m the House, istb havethe' appointment. We have not the slightest hesitation m accepting his disclaimer, that he knows nothing of it. Ho is the one prdmineM Parliamentary supporter of the Government who would have nothing to lose by taking, the appointment. . Socially lie would be second only to Mr Buckley ; he has ample private means-, jand might be trusted to maintain the dignity of the office. But his experi r ence.is altogether insufficient for a position of such responsibility, though his abilities are unquestioned. Tn ten years time he might and probably will, if he continue his political careor, be an unexceptionable representative, but it would be fatal to the standing of the colony to send Home such a novice m public life. Then there are at. Home Sir Julius A^ogol and Sir William Jervois, both of whom possess m a marked degree the necessary qualifications. Sir Julius deserves well • of New Zealand, and has never ceased' to take a lively interest m its affair.'.,, and to evince a practical confidence jn* its resources. His intimate connection! with the financial world no doubt would weigh both ways, but it is safe' to say that the balance would be m favor of the colony, It would he, very easy to find a worse representative and very difficult to find a better. Sir William Jervois' military knowledge would be specially valuable were we going m for a comprehensive defence scheme, He is well-known to have been most favorably impressed with the capabilities of the country, and his opinions carry great weight m London official circles, There may be other atipirants to the position, but the Government will not stultify themselves by appointing a nonentity., The present Agent-General has upheld the dignity of the office worthily, and though he has given less attention to, the social side of his duties than was perhaps desirable, it will take a good man, one of the front rank, to fill his place,,, ; ; , ..;■:. ■ .-;.-,■ ; ':