THE COUNCIL APPOINTMENTS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXV, Issue 147, 23 June 1934, Page 8

THE COUNCIL APPOINTMENTS.

If the Legislative Council was not to be ended, it had to be mended, or, to speak more accurately, reinforced, and the appointment of fourteen additional members comes none too soon. The selection covers a wide field, and the Couiicil will be strengthened in capacity and interests represented as well as in 1 numbers. Three of the appointees, Mr. Isitt and Mr. Anderson and Sir Heaton Rhodes, are, old . bands in .politics. Sir Heaton Rhodes was a member of the first Reform Ministry. ■ Mr. Isitt's return is welcome for his breezy personality and his gift of public speaking. He is one of our few orators. The four Auckland Councillors represent a considerable variety of ability and experience. Mr. John Alexander is a lawyer who has taken considei-able interest in public affairs, including membership of more than one Commission. Ilis position as visitor to the Auckland Mental Hospital and his membership of the Prisons Board will enable him to speak with exceptional authority when matters relating to these departments come before the Council. Mr. Eliot Davis is connected with a large business, and has done valuable pioneering work in farming. Mr. Archibald Burns is best known for his long connection with the Auckland Education Board. Local government in education needs more champions in Wellington. Mr. Bloodworth's appointment is perhaps the most interesting of all. He has given good service on several local bodies, and for years he lias been known and respected as.one of the most intellectual of the leaders of Labour. The Council lias long been weak in representation of organised Labour, and Mr. Bloodworth will bring to it intimate knowledge of the affairs of that world and an unusual point of view 011 economics and politics generally.