Evening Post. FRIDAY, JUNE 26, 1891.

Evening Post, Volume XLI, Issue 149, 26 June 1891, Page 2

Evening Post. FRIDAY, JUNE 26, 1891.

THE AGENT-GENERALSHIP. ' _ ♦ It is surely timo that Ministers made up their minds as to the Agent-Generalship, and informed Parliament as to thoir intentions regarding the appointment of a successor to Sir Dillon Bill. His term of office expires in about five months, and that period is by no means too long for his successor to have at his disposal to arrange for the assumption of the offico, especially if the suqpessor is at present in the colony. Any gontlenian in New Zealand to whom the appointment would be offered would almost certainly require a couple of months to arrange his own private affairs bofore leaving New Zealand for a threo years' residence in England ; and it would manifestly be of advantage that tho new AgentGeneral should be in England at least a month, before Sir Dillon Bell's actual retirement, so as to have the opportunity of conferring with that gentleman, profiting by his experience, and learning the ropes. If the appointment were made at onoe, the new Agent-General would therefore only have time left for his voyage home. Of course, if the gentleman to be appointed is already resident in England, tho necessity for making any public announcement is not so nrgent. It is understood, however, that a large section of the Ministerial Party olaim this appointment as amongst the spoils of their political victory, and that a great many members hold, irrespective of Party, that the A_gent-G«ner«l should of necessity be a colonist. Wo cannot say that we altogether *hare cither of, these opinions. It matton

very little to what political Party in the colony the Agent-General in London oolongs, and in many reiipectd it would probably be advantageous tliat he should be perfectly independent of any Party ties or influences ; and although, aa a rule, the Agent-General-ship should be deemed a roward of distinguished political Korvice. when practicable, wo are not aware that at the present timo there is any man in the colony pos-<eHsing this qualification who would bo willing to aacept tho office. The Hon. Mr, LARHAch has declared publicly that ho does not want it, or he would bp a most suitable man for tho position. Sir HABKf Atkisbojt is the only other public man in the ftaivmy whom we know of as possessing the requisite qualifications, an« it It) scarcely likely he would exchange his present seat for the London Office. If ho would do so, the Government would bo wisely magnanimous in giving him the appointment. In Loftdon thcr^ aro two gcntlemon.both ad;riiri\b)y qualified for the office, and both, It Is understood, willing to accent lr tan Suitable terms. We allude to sir Julius Vogel and Sir William Jkrvois. Sir Julius Vooel has strong claims on tho colony, and on the Party in power, and ho aforetime mado an admirablo AgentGeneral. If re-appointod, wo ore bure the colony would asrain benefit greatly by his sorvicos. Sir William Jkkvois also has special qualifications for the office, al^oiigh his claims cannot for a moment IJe prarfed in competition wit!) those of Sir Jutius VOOKL> Tho qhdico of either would, however, no ptef erable to tho selection of some colonial nonentity, appointed entirely for Party reasons, to" go Homo and fill this important^ office. The conduct of the Government will bo closely, and anxiously watched in this matter. Their action in regard to the Chairmanship of Committees has created a strong tceling that they are not to bo trusted to use their patronage discreetly, and has greatly shakon publio confidence in them.