POLITICAL NOTES.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XCIV, Issue 10786, 25 October 1895, Page 5

POLITICAL NOTES.

[from our own correspondent.] WELLINGTON, Got. 24. THE AGENT-GENERALSHIP. Many rumours have been going about the Agent-General, but they were every one without foundation, for the simple reason that the Cabinet had not considered the matter at all. During the last few days, however. Ministers have been considering the question, as the time is approaching for a decision. So far as I can ascertain the choice has been narrowed between two whom I cannot candidly name without their permission. A good deal of nonsense has been talked about the Premier in this connection, but Richard is called king because he prefers the position of rule to the position of servitude. Those who mentioned the Premier as the coming Agent-General know neither human nature generally nor the facts of the case in particular. Some have mentioned Mr Larnach, but he has never been really in the running. Sir Walter Duller has been mentioned, and common report says that he is both willing and able, and it is well understood that he has means and will nee them for the purposes of entertainment. Returned colonials make much of this point, for they are full of stories of derogatory remarks made in London at public feasts as to the niggardliness of the New Zealand representatives who live not to entertain but to be entertained. But theso sarcasms will not get Sir Walter the position, because there are members in the Ministry—strong men—who are not favourable to Sir Walter. Sir Patrick Buckley has been named also as desirous and likely, principally because Sir Patrick was known to be much disappointed by the Perceval appointment. Sir Patrick has, however, been decorated since then, and that, it is considered, is a fair compensation Besides, he is the probable successor to the late Judge Richmond. On that point nothing has happened to interfere with a former prognostication of mine, because a matter of fact nothing has happened at all. It is perfectly well understood, of course, that Sir Patrick has only to ask and he will be appointed, and my impression, arrived at not without much inquiry in various quarters, well informed and otherwise, is that he will ask as soon as the session ends. The Hon W. P. Reeves and Sir Westby Perceval are the other names mentioned. My idea is that the choice will lie between these two. If I am right, and I think I am, the betting ought to be against a third term for Sir Westby. , , UNDESIRABLE IMMIGRANTS. The Undesirable Immigrants Bill had no chance from the first. It might have gone through if it had been confined entirely to the Asiatic, but the Minister in charge was firm for the whole Bill or none, and the Bill was killed in the usual way as known in committee.