PARTY APPOINTMENT.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XCVII, Issue 11235, 5 April 1897, Page 6

PARTY APPOINTMENT.

TO THE EDITOR. —The editorial in Saturday’s issue, headed as above, comes as a surprise. Why. the Government “may fail to carry Mr Guinness’s re-election as Chairman of Committees,” is not stated. If the Government cannot carry their motions for House appointments at the opening of Parliament they aro surely on “thin ice.” I agree with you that “party” considerations should not dominate such appointments. There is, however, another tost, that of experience. Mr Guinness has for five years filled the office of Chairman of Committees, and in that capacity has on many occasions acted as Speaker with dignity and satisfaction. Why, then, should such a tried man be cast aside ? Is it merely because ho is a member of the strongest party in the House ? The House will apparently be divided into three sections Ministerialists, Opposition and Temperance, the last-named being Independent. The Ministerialist and Temperance sections aro in a clear majority. Mr Guinness has, I believe, always supported the temperance party. Mr Eollesfcon, on the other hand, was returned as an opponent of the temperance party. . He declared against prohibition, he received the support of the liquor party in Christchurch and Riccarton (to them he owes his election), and in order to “ harden ” the liquor party around himself he declared in favour of payment of compensation to all publicans or owners of licensed houses who lost their licenses through the vote of the people. Could any temperance member be expected to vote for him as Chairman of Committees when his casting vote might fasten compensation for licensed houses on the people of this colony ? Mr Guinness deserves the support of the Liberal party if he chooses to accept the position of Chairman. If ho does not, Mr Joyce has “ won his spurs ” by long and honorary service as acting chairman, and it will be to the .shame of the Government if they throw over either or both these tried members in favour of a Conservative professional politician and billethunter who is never satisfied unless he is dipping his hands into the pockets of the taxpayers.—lam,&c., A LIBERAL.