The Hawera Star. SATURDAY, NOVEMBER. 7, 1925. NEW LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLORS

Hawera Star, Volume XLV, 7 November 1925, Page 6

The Hawera Star.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER. 7, 1925. NEW LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLORS

Delivered every evening by 5 o’clock in Hawera, Manaia, Normanby, Okaiawa, Eltham, Mangatoki, Kaponga, Alton, Hurleyville, Patea, Waverley, Mokoia, Whakamara, Ohangai, Meremere, Fraser Road, and Ararata.

It is characteristic- of the; Prime, Minister that pre-election criticism has hastened rather than delayed his action in appointing Sir Heaton Rhodes, the Hon. D. H. Guthrie, and; Messrs Isitt and Witty to the Legislative Council. On the hustings, the Opposition candidates made much of thei expected translation of the hon. members, for Christchurch North and 1 Riecarton to “another place,” and a leader who was in the slightest measure ashamed, or even doubtful, of his, action would have hesitated; to announce the new appointments while Opposition criticism, and the inference which it conveyed, was fresh in the: minds of the public. Mr Coates has not played; for time; he is willing to be judged on the facts. Nor is it at all likely that the appointments will be unfavourably received by the country. Sir Heaton, Rhodes and Mr Guthrie have both done honest and conscientious work in the Ministry, and both are' retiring from the strife and bustle, of the elected chamber on medical advice. Their administrative experience . will be invaluable in the Upper House. Mr Isitt has been in Parliament for over a dozen years, and Mr Witty for close on quarter of a century, and the former especially should have many years of active work yet before him. It would be foolish to suggest that either of them is a statesman; but Mr Isitt, in > addition to having been throughout his life a tireless worker in the cause of social and moral reform, is one of the few orators in our Parliament. The standard of debating in the popular chamber will suffer by his retirement, and it is a matter for satisfaction that his voice will still be heard in the legislative halls, although the calmer and more academic atmosphere where he is going may not at first appeal to one who. is primarily a spectacular fighter. Mr Witty’s political usefulness is on the wane, but his knowledge of practical agriculture on the plains whence the Dominion draws its bread supply will entitle him to the ear of the Council, when it has under consideration legislation affecting farming interests. We are not satisfied that the present is the best possible form for the second chamber; but we think the country will agree- that the. four new members will do honour to their appointment.