"PROVIDED FOR"

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXII, Issue 9712, 7 January 1895, Page 5

"PROVIDED FOR"

MR. McKENZIE'S RELATIONS AND

FRIENDS. [OTAGO DAILY TIMES.]

A correspondent recently challenged us to give a- record of the appointments of relatives and political friends made by Ministers. ; We ate unable to furnish a complete list; if we were would probably fill more than a column of our' space. We are, however, able to give a specimen of Ministerial patronage, and perhaps this partial list may satisfy our correspondent. The list only refers to one Minister, but wo believe the record of the Premier's appointments would far eclipse that of the Minister for Lands. The number of gentlemen who have been rewarded with Government offices, and who were once dwellers on the West Coast of this Island, is legion. The following is a partial list of persons who have obtained Government appointments at the hands of the Hon. John McKenzie, or who have obtained their positions through his recommendation, or through being either his relatives or political supporters :—

■ Depart- Relationship, Names. meat, Ac, to &c. ■ Minister. 1. M. D. M'Kenzie Lands (pri- „,, „™ . vatesee.) Son 2. Mr. M'Kenzie Manager Rush e y Park (B N.Z. Estates Co.) Son B. Mr. Urquahart Lands Nephew 4. Mr. Monro Stock Nephew 5. Mr. Wills Stock Nephew 6. Mr. A. Monro Stock Distant rela- ., .. „ tive 7. Mr. Ross Manager K states Co. for S. Island Neighbour and supporter 8. Mr. Ross Lands Son of foregoing 9. Mr. McDonald Lands Son of Shag I Valley Supporter 10. Mr. McDonald Lands Son of Paii, nt er st on ,_ _, ' supporter 11. Mr.Ross Lands Son of Dunback supporter 12. Mr. J. Scott Lands Supporter 13. Mr. D. Ross Lands Distantly relate A by marriage 14. Mr. D. Fleming Stock Shag Valley supporter 15. Mr. Williams Lands Shag Valley Supporter 16. M. J. Longton Messenger Pa 1m e r ston supporter 17. Mr. J. Longton Stock Son of foregoing 18. Mr. Murcott Survey Son of Hampden supporter 19. Mr.Hjorring Stock SonofNaseby supporter 20. Mr. Cruickshanlc Stock Son of Otepopo supporter 21. Mr. Mackintosh Lands Son of Wallace's member 22. Mr. Deem Stock Shag Valley supporter 23. Mr. Campbell Lands (Banger) Personal friend 2*. Mr. Praser Lands (Ranger) Supporter 25. Mr. J. F. M. Fraser Solicitor under Lands for » Settlement Act. Supporter

We know that wo have nob exhausted the list of the Hon. Mr. McKenzie's favouritism in the bestowal of public appointments, but it _ may be taken as a sample of what Ministers nan do if thoy are so lost to a sense of what the public has a right to expect from them. How such conduct can be tolerated by tho Democratic supporters of the Ministry, whose creed is that all men should stand an equal chance of advancement in life, is a myetery. We recommend Mr. McKenzie to mend his ways if he wishes to stem the loss of public confidence in himself and colleagues which is surely and steadily on the increase. His methods are sufficient to wreck any Ministry.