THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 13396, 26 January 1907, Page 4

THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

It would have been mure than human for the Government to have resisted the pressure exerted on behalf of aspirants to the Legislative Council, so that the creation of a batch of new members for that body is not in any way remarkable. There will naturally be much disappointment among those staunch partisans whose hopes have proved futile, but the whole nominee system is so hopeless that the colony will console itself with the knowledge that the appointments might have been much worse. But though this is so, and though in several cases the new Legislative Councillors are all that could be desired, the batch as a whole* will decrease rather than increase the influence of the Second Chamber. It is common knowledge how such appointments are made: with rare exceptions for partisan service or for motives of personal

I friendship. Under the circumj stances, therefore, it is generally imj possible for representative colonists to reach tin l , Council, with the result that its prestige wanes as the years go by. The great majority of its members could not hope for success in an election to the House of Representatives and are consequently the more creatures of party organisation. However, even in such a system there ought to be some proportion observed. Yet the mining industry has been overlooked and the North Island members of the batch are chiefly from the southern end of the island, Auckland City being entirely overlooked. It is interesting to notice that it will be five months before the fourteen new members enter upon their duties and that meanwhile they bej come endowed— the favour of the I Administration—with all the privileges and emoluments of legislators. J This little prelude will cost the country some £1100. besides free railway passesbut that is nothing.