The Lyttelton Times. TUESDAY, DEC. 12, 1893.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXXX, Issue 10218, 12 December 1893, Page 4

The Lyttelton Times. TUESDAY, DEC. 12, 1893.

The Wellington morning journal has for some time shown symptoms of being no longer the mouthpiece of the Ministry, and it has now assumed the new role of Ministerial adviser. In the latter character it recommends the Government to nominate Sir John Hall for a seat in the Legislative Council, It was surely hardly necessary for our contemporary to vehemently insist upon its sincerity in offering this suggestion. The eminent services, high character and outstanding ability of Sir John Hall are sufficiently well known to afford protection against the supposition that even a Liberal newspaper would propose his elevation to the Council by way of a joke. There is, however, a decidedly jocular ring about the reasoning of our contemporary in support of the suggestion. It is maintained by the same journal which a few days ago counted up forty-four “ direct veto ” supporters in a House of seventyfour that the Government has come bach so strong from the elections that thfjre is “no need to make a single appointment to the Council.” Of /that there is still room, we think, for donbt. The Government never was weak in the elective House, but it was unable to carry many of its measures through the nominated Chamber. There may be no further obstruction offered to the Land for Settlements, Government Eailwaya and Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Bills, but that can only be ascertained in the course of next session, and until then it would be premature to say that no further Liberal appointments are required. But our contemporary, having proved that not a single appointment is necessary, goes on to argue for a particular appointment as a graceful and courteous act, on the part of the Liberal Government, to its most determined opponent. We cordially agree that Sir ■John Hall ought to be called to the Upper House, if he is willing to serve the people there ; but we should like the Government, before adding to the strength of the Opposition _iu the Council, to make sure that 'it has a loyal following strong enough I to carry through its policy Bills with- ■ out the assistance of Sir Patrick Buckley, who is expected to be absent during the coming session. If it has not such a following, then, along with Sir John, it must create a number •of Liberal Councillors. In times past the tendency has been for the creations ” of Liberal Governments to develop Conservative views after they were secure in their seats. It is too much, even in these days of progress; to hope that Sir John Hall would, after his return to the Council, become a Liberal of the Liberals. The first duty of the .Government is to secure the passage of the measures demanded hy the people —to be consistent before it is graceful and just before it is generous.