The Ensign. MONDAY, AUGUST 22, 1910. CHAIRMAN OF COMMITTEES.

Mataura Ensign, 22 August 1910, Page 4

The Ensign. MONDAY, AUGUST 22, 1910. CHAIRMAN OF COMMITTEES.

How have the miglity fallen! The great Liberal which for 20 years has held the reins of government in New Zealand, is surely rapidly passing into its dotage. After many fruitless caucus meetings and much lobbying, during which the names of several men fairly well qualified to act as Chairman of Committees in succession to Mr Wilford have been mentioned, the Government has decided to nominate Mr John Colvin, the member for Buller, for the position. This gentleman is one of the most genial and popular members of Parliament. His eyes beam with good nature, while his long grey beard gives him a somewhat patriarchial appearance and has earned him the sobriquet of "Uncle." He is a useful representative of his district, being ever ready to uphold its interests and to frustrate the machinations of those who conspire against his beloved Westport. But with all his estimable qualities he is not fitted for the office of Chairman of Committees. That important position can only be properly filled by a man well versed in the forms and usages of Parliament. He should be as well acquainted with the standing orders, the rulings and the precedents laid down hy May and others, as the Speaker of the House. Mr Colvin is not the possessor of the qualifications, yet the Government has had the temerity to nominate him for the position of Chairman of Committees. And why has it done this? Simply because the Ministry has not a grip of its party. The Prime Minister is not a Seddon. He cannot bend or lead his followers as his predecessor was wont to do. But he is loath to'give up the leadership of the party. He will not face the position. He gives way at every point, and is ready to make any sacrifice to hold office. This is unfortunate for the country. Mr Colvin is a most conscientious man, and there is not the slightest doubt but that he will fill the office impartially. Although the House will respect him for his personal worth, it will not for his ability as Chairman of Committees. The Government has really made him a scapegoat. Its sins of weakness have been great in connection with the nomination of a chairman, and it was therefore necessary to put up a man who would not be violently opposed by his enemies, for truly Mr Colvin has none in the House. The unfortunate difficulty into which Mr Davey had fallen in Christchurch alienated many who would otherwise have supported him, and inflamed the redoubtable. Mr T. E. Taylor with a greater desire to fight him. Sir William J. Steward has had his day and his chances of office. When Speaker he was remarkable for nothing so much as his weakness of decision, and to this has been laid the charge of having deprived New Zealand of the services of Mr J. Bryce, a man who had most patriotically worked in her interests. When Mr W. Fraser was nominated by'the Opposition it forced the Government to take a side or put up a candidate other than Mr Davey or Sir W. J. Steward. Mr Hanan then saw his chance and took it, but the party was not disposed to avail itself of his services nor of those of Mr Russell, of Mr Laurenson or of Mr Graham. At the first sign of j Opposition to any of these names the Government withdrew, and at last selected Mr Colvin because no one would be jealous of that gentleman's preferment—he is too genial a soul for that. ft is lamentable that the leaders of a party which boasts of a majority of 26 in a House of SO should act in the manner in which the Ward Government has done. Tt is on a par with its pusillanimity in regard to land, to local government, and to many other matters in recent years. The shade of the late illustrious leader of the party must frequently rage at the weakness of his successor. It would be to the credit of Parliament if it flouted the Government by electing that judicial-minded and able gentleman, the member for Wakatipu, thereby refusing to place Mr Colvin in a position which he did not seek and in which, he would readily admit, he is not likely to be happy.