PROPHECIES

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 13, 16 January 1926, Page 7

PROPHECIES

AND SOME ADVICE

LEADEESHIP OF THE COUNCIL,

The prophesy of the "Manawatu Daily Times V political observer as to Cabinet appointments has excited some interest, and, incidentally, some disapproval. The Christehurch "Sun,' for example, hopes that the Prime Minister's reference to the report as "sheer guess-work and "kite-flying," will mean a final disposal of one or two of the rumours about the selection. Particular reference is made to the mention of the Hon. Venion Reed and Mr. B. P. Lee for the leadership of the Legislative Council.

"It is difficult to understand the process of political reasoning by which the North Island prophet has justified the release _of his kite (writes the "Sun"). There is no valid ground for naming either of these estimable politicians as a successor to Sir Francis Bell. Neither has demonstrated in Parliamentary or any other experience the possession of such outstanding capabilities as to justify selection for the onerous post of Attorney-General. Something more than political suavity and hard calculating legal ability is required for the dual task of leading the Legislative Council and advising the Government on important constitutional and Imperial questions. It may be said in perfectly good temper and 'goodwill that Mr. Lee has done very well indeed to regain the confidence of Oainaru and a place in Parliament. He will do more than well if he should succeed in getting, back into the Ministry with the portfolio of Justice. But we cannot'see him doing so extraordinarily well as to secure the At-torney-Generalship.

"If the Prime Minister should decide to select a member of the Legislative Council to succeed its retiring Leader, he need not hesitate to choose Sir John Findlay, whose experience and ability would amply justify his selection. His qualities make his defects, but these are remediable under keen discipline. If, on the other hand, Mr. Coates should prefer, as we think he ought to do without any hesitation at all, to appoint a representative of the legal profession outside the ranks of politicians, he would not go wrong in selecting Mr. M. 'Myers, of Wellington, to fill the gap caused by the forthcoming retirement of Sir Francis Bell.

"All things considered, it would be a preposterous act to 'call' Mr. Lee to the Council and necessitate a byelection, when an easier process is available with the certainty of securing in Mr. Myers the service of an abler legal administrator."

It should be stated that Sir John Findlay is not now a member of the Council, as might be inferred from the "Sun's" reference.