A CABINET CHANGE.

Auckland Star, Volume XLIX, Issue 12, 14 January 1918, Page 4

A CABINET CHANGE.

Alter laving been common property for some time, the appointment of Mr. Herdman to the Supreme Court Bench has been mentioned by the Prime Minister. The appointment has been criticised on both, political sides, on the ground that Mr. Herdman receives it, not because he has occupied a prominent position in the legal profession, but because he is Attorney-General In other words, it is contended that he. owes his elevation to politics, and not to professional capacity, and that the standard of attainments on the Bench will suffer by the appointment. There is, of course, some justification'for this criticism. If Mn Herdman were not Attor-ney-General lis chances of being rflade a judge would be very small. In experience at the Bar he is surpassed by many other barristers, and possibly he has been 60 busy with politics during the last few years that his law has suffered. But experience at the Bar does not necessarily make a lawyer a good judge. For one thing, a man may be a first-class criminal lawyer without being very strong in law. Instances could be given ■from English experience of brilliant barristers who carried to the Bench their partisanship and lack of judicial quali- i ties of mind. If we remember rightly, objection was taken to the elevation of the late Sir Joshua Williams on the ground that his status as a lawyer was not sufficiently high, but by general consent he was acknowledged to be a cospicuously able judge. Mr. Herdman has three qualifications for success on the Bench. His reputation for integrity stands high; even in the heat of party politics it has never been questioned. His strength of character is conspicuous, and inspires respect among those who cannot accept his Conservative views. And no one would deny that he has unusual intellectual ability. Character and ability on the Bench may more than counter-balance any weakness in his legal equipment.

The vacancy id the Cabinet is to be filled by Mr. D. H. Guthrie, member for Oroua and Senior Reform Whip. There are abler men in the rank and file of the Reform party than Mr. Guthrie, but no doubt in making the selection Mr. Massey has been influenced by several considerations. Seniority and service count in theße appointments, and there is the balance of representation between the two Islands to consider, and possibly the question of provincial representation. Perhaps Mr. Maßsey was glad to take what appeared to him to be the line of least resistance. It is probable, says Mr. Massey,. that Mr. Guthrie will become Minister for Lands. At present Mr. Massey himself is the head of this Department, the work of which must be very congenial to him, but possibly it would be better for the country, at such a time of stress, if the Prime Minister were relieved of the administration of so large a Department so that he could devote more time to general supervision of affairs.