STRONG CRITICISM.

Evening Post, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 154, 29 June 1912, Page 7

STRONG CRITICISM.

LEADERSHIP OF THE COUNCIL. HON. J. E. JENKINSON'S VIEWS. THE TRADE COMMISSIONER. Some lively passages characterised today'e sitting of the Legislative Council. Ab soon as the third reading of the Imprest Supply Bill, which passed th© House of Representatives last evening, had been moved, the Hon. J. E. Jenkinson referred to the leadership of the Council. They understood, he said, that the position had been — he would not say hawked around the country — offered to eeveral members of the Council. He felt pride in the fact that one gentleman had declined' to accept, as recorded by the public press. It was about time the Council took some stand in tho inai&er, and it should exercise the sense of dignity pertaining to it and say whether it was or was not entitled to the respect of the Government of the day. The present leader was fit to occupy any portfolio, and had he taken the position under s proper circumstances he would have been heartily congratulated, but he should not have accepted on this occasion. Nothing he had said implied any reflection on Mr. Samuel, who had taken the position through his well-known, anxiety to please everybody. He was sure the leader felt very uncomfortable. The Council was indebted to him for his straightforward explanation the other day. When the Bill was passed the Council should adjourn until such time as the Government made up its mind and appointed an Attorney-General to lead it. Sir. Samuel was as competent as any previous holder of tie position, but the speaker defied him to explain every point that came before the council. It might be said that he (Mr. Jenkinson) wanted the position himself, but he was too much of a free-lance and would not consent to be tied. MR. SINCLAIR'S APPOINTMENT. Mr. Jenkinson added that all were glad to note that the position of Trade Commiasioner had been given to the Hon. J. R. -Sinclair, and he must be* congratulated, but if Mr. Sinclair's best friend said he was eminently fitted for the position, he would be making a mistake. It had been said that the reason Mr. Sinclair was appointed was that he was at Home. This was very unfair and was an insult to Mr. Sinclair. The reason that there was no time to send a man from New Zealand was a subterfuge, as Sir Joseph' Ward, the original appointee, would have; had to leave from. New Zealand. There were many, others who could have 'been appointed j .and grave discourtesy ha<l been shown to the Imperial Government. It reflected but little credit on the Government after three months of office that it' had acted as he indicated. MR. SAMUEL'S REPLY. The Hon. 0. Samuel said Mr. Jenlrinson had a perfect right to speak 'as he did, but this was not the occasion, questioned the speaker's taste in attacking the. Government under the circumstances. He would not have any difficulty in answering all the charges, but he would not waste the time of the' country. It must not he said that he listened without care -to charges against the Government which had no representative to reply. Mr. Jenkinson. accused the Government of hawking round the office of leader, but if true, it should not have, been stated. It was not true. It was common property that another member besides himself had been approached. Should the welfare of the 1 public and the needs of the country be sacrificed to their own dignity? he asked. Had- Mr. Jenkinson been asked to act he would probably have accepted ; he did himself an injustice when he said he would not. It was extremely desirable that a Minister holding a, portfolio to lead the Council with another Minister to auekt him, should be appointed. The way Bills were pitchforked into the Council caused some of the defective work which issued from the Legislature. The Hon. Thomas Kelly said this, was not the time to the dignity of the Council, as only half its members were present. It would be much better to go on with the business. The Hon. R. A- Loughnan declared that Mr. Sinclair was a suitable man for appointment to the Imperial Trade Commission. The Bill was put through all ite stages without further discussion, and the Council adjourned.