NOTES OF THE DAY.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1333, 10 January 1912, Page 4

NOTES OF THE DAY.

It is not surprising, perhaps, in view of the Ward Administration's unwholesome record, that, anxiety should be'felt as to what the Government may do in the matter of appointments or in other ways affecting the public ere it is finally forced to relinquish its hold on office. Some concern appears to exist as to appointments to the Legislative Council. This arises, perhaps, from the fact that it was generally understood that certain members of the Ministerial following who stood down at the recent elections were to bo appointed to the Upper House in recognition of their past obedient service to the party in Parliament. It must have proved a severe disappointment to these, gentlemen to find the Government defeated at the polls, and their hopes thus rudely shattered. We do not think the public have any occasion to fear what the Government may do openly. So far &■■ appointments to tho Legislative Council are concerned, there is no earthly reason why any appointments ' should be made by ■ the Waud Administration at the present time, even if it had been returned with a majority. The Council is quite strong enough numerically— nearly -10 members—to do the work required of it, and the Government supporters outnumber those- less sympathetic with tho Government by something like five to one. In view of the position of the Government, however, it would of course be manifestly improper to mako any appointments at all, even were the Council less strong than it is and less favourable to the Government. His Excellency the Governor would no doubt feel himself called on to safeguard the public interest should an attempt be made by Sir Joseph Ward to provide a snug retreat for any of his political friends in the Upper House; but it is not at all likely that ho will be called on to exercise his discretion in the matter. So also with the High Commissionership,. which will fall vacant at the end of March. It is quite another matter, however, as to what may happen in connection with everyday administrative matters. It would bo very interesting; for instance, to learn what is being done in the matter of lean flotation. Last session Parliament authorised the raising of a loan of a million and a half for public works, and the Government has authority under other Acts to borrow large sums. We shall learn in due course what has been going on while the country has been kept in suspense as to the Government's intentions.

A recent cable message from Constantinople must have reminded our readers of political events not so far away. The cable said:

The Government has determined to publish ex-Sultan Abdul Hamid's journals. Five hundred boxes of memoranda were found in a chamber near liis bedroom. They reveal extortions and political intrigues extending over thirty-thrcD years. No doubt, the journals, when published, will make very interesting reading, but Abdul Hamid is not the only person of exalted station who is concerned in records that may be read with all the more avidity because of the secrecy in which they have long been hidden. AVithout suggesting any exact parallel, there is no doubt that quite a number of people would be interested in some of the memoranda which have accumulated during a number of years in certain offices in this city. Everybody knows who has promised to go through the pigeon-holes if tho country will give him the opportunity. The country was rather of the opinion that it had done so, but now the opportunity is being withhold until after and if intrigue can succeed against political honour and the rights aud will of the people, it will bo withheld indefinitely.

The tramway employees last evening declined to proceed with their charges against, Inspector Fuller on the groiyid that they objected to counsel being permitted (o appear in the matter. AVhy they should object to this one man who has the wholo Weight of the Tramways Union arrayed against him, and whose whole future, fit least so "far as tramway employment is concerned, is at stake, having the assistance of counsel in presenting his case, has not beeu stated. Mu. Fuller might be a very competent and an honest man, hut yet be quite unfitted for the task of cross-examining hostile witnesses, and bringing forth the full facts of the case, so far as they relate to the charges brought against him. Tho fact, cannot lie ignored that the Tramways Union has made :i, most determined attempt to force the- City Council to dismiss this man fioin their employ, and in order to accomplish this end, they have heaped charge upon charge, calculated, if proved, to damage him not merely in tho o.vfiH of bin present employers, but for all time. Some of the charges

may be petty, and most of them arc obscure in their present form, hut it is only fair nnd proper if this man, ov any man, is called on to face such allegations as have been publicly made against him, that he should be given every reasonable opportunity to present his case to the best advantage. It is a little surprising in the circumstances to find tho Tramways Union taking ujj an attitude which Ihry must know is prejudicial to the man they are Surely their only object is to see justice done ? It, would be a dastardly thing indeed for any body of men to wish to take advantage of a man's inexperience, in conducting a case of the kind that Inspector Fuller has been called on to answer, to ruin him. AYe do not believe that the Tramways Union, however incensed it may be with Inspector Fuller, would knowingly go to such lengths: but it has placed itself in a very awkward position through refusing to proceed with the charges unless the Inspector was compelled to conduct his own case. It is quite useless to attempt to obscure the position by suggesting that if counsel are permitted to appear in this instance they should be authorised to do so in all cases of complaints against tramway employees. •The present case is an exceptional one—lnspector Fuller has been publicly accused, and the circumstances demand that the evidence of his accusers and his reply thereto should be given in public, and every facility afforded for getting at the whole truth. The Council, wo are pleased m> s ce, did the proper thing when the Tramways Union declined to proceed with the charges, by giving Ixsi'ector Fuller an opportunity to reply to them. It would have been manifestly unjust to have allowed the matter to drop without permitting him to present his side of the story, and leave.the charges hanging over his head indefinitely.