THE AGENT-GENERALSHIP

Press, Volume LIII, Issue 9305, 4 January 1896, Page 6

THE AGENT-GENERALSHIP

. When pressed iv Parliament; to state what was going to be done with regard to the Agent-Generalship, Mr. Seddon steadily evaded the question, and on one occasion said something to the effect that it was a matter of no particular importance, and there was no need of hurry iv the business. Even 1 now he declines to take the public into his confidence. In so acting it seems 1 to us he is behaving in a very highhanded and altogether indefensible fashion. Sir Westby Perceval's terra of engagement has expired, and and although ifc has been currently reported for some time that the Government have fixed upon his successor, Mr. Seddon still seems to think it is a matt9r of no importance so far as the public are concerned, and that it is very unreasonable curiosity on their part if they want to know who is to be the colony's representative in London for the next threo years. On this point wo certainly do not agree with the Premier. The Agent-Goneralship is not a post which exists solely for the convenience of the Ministry, to be jockeyed about in secret and intrigued over for an unlimited length of time. It is one of the highest and most responsible posts in the public service, and the public have a right to demand not only that the best man available should be chosen for the position, but that everything should be done openly and aboveboard, and that the taxpayers of New Zealand should not be played with and kept in the dark about such an important matter. We confess wo do not understand the conduct of the Government over this affair. Mr. Reeves, on the one hand, although keeping up some affectation of secresy, is malting his personal arrangements as if ho v/ere secure in the appointment. Yet when he and the Premier were face to face with a section of the Ministerial party in Christchurch, on Thursday night, the same outward pretence of reserve was kept up, and neither would say whether Mr. Reeves was or was not going Home to be Agent-General. We do not know whether Mr. Reeves's supporters consider that this is treating them with proper confidence and courtesy after all that they have done for him, but we certainly do say that the public at large have every reason to complain of the despotic and discourteous conduct of the Premier in this, as in many other matters. If the Government have given the appointment to Mr. Reeves they ought not to be ashamed to say so, although we have no doubt they will have to face more criticism than they will altogether relish. If they are quaking over the Christchurch seat, we do not say that their anxiety is without good : grounds, but we do say that it is a < most inadequate reason for keeping i the important office of Agent-General < dangling in uncertainty. The Govern- < nient should at once tell the public ' what they intend to do. '