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Evening Star, Issue 12732, 5 August 1907, Page 4

We do not often find ourselves in sympathy with tho ccmplairus of tliG present Opposition, but we think that Sir Joseph Wind La.vo stretched ,1 point and arranged that Mr Masscy shouid bo a member of tho Public Accounts Committor-, especially as tho Assessment Bill is to bo considered by that body. Theie arc ten members on the Committee—two Ministers, six Ministerialist.?, and two Conservatives'(Mr J. Allen and Mr \V. Frascr). On July 11, when tho Committee was sjt up, Mr Aitken took exception to the composition, and especially to tho absence ot Mr Massey's name. So far. ho was only on two committees ; and the Premier shool-1 take the matter into i.oiisidora:io".i. an.l, if ; 0.-„ sible, .UTanjre to put .Mr M.iss.;y on this one. Probably fiom mi:iic pin';.is of view this was lie most im[oitart cnnuitL-e that was being sjt, up, dealing wiili ill tho accounts oi the colony, wnich ou.'ht to be dealt with by both sides ot the House. Mr Massey himself evinced a desire to be on the Committee, which ho declared to be "too one-sided,'' but tho Prime Minister, while ready to welcome the Leader of the Opposition, suggested that either Mr Alien or Mr Traser should withdraw and make jtcit for their chmL " There- were eighty

The Public Acconnt* CoinmiUcr.

"members in the House, eighteen of whom "were Opposition members. That being "so, the proportion was right." This strict line of argument is plausible rather than conclusive, and we agree with Mr Aitken that if it is necessary to havo two Ministers on the Committee the claim of the Loader of the other party might bo conceded with propriety. The matter came np again last Friday, when the Assessment Bill was referred to the Public Accounts Committee. Mr Alien and Mr Massey renewed tho complaint, but Sir Joseph Ward adhered to his rather pedantic position. Wo are of opinion that ho made a mistake.