The New Zealand Times (PUBLISHED DAILY). WEDNESDAY, MAY 24, 1882.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 6583, 24 May 1882, Page 2

The New Zealand Times (PUBLISHED DAILY). WEDNESDAY, MAY 24, 1882.

Testeedax afternoon notice of motion was given by the Hon. the Colonial Treasurer to the effect that Mr Huest, member for Waitemata, be appointed as Chairman of Committee of the whole House. From this it maybe inferred that, between the two candidates for ministerial support, the Coverment have made their choice pn grounds of a satisfactory nature. What these are has not yet been made known, though it may be assumed that they will, be famished when the motion for appointment is formally made. At this stage, therefore, it is -possible only to refer briefly to some of the reasons which it may be supposed Have -swayed the Government in coming to their decision. Of the fitness - of the other ministerial. ; candidate, Mr Hamlik, member for Franklin South, to fill tho important position, there cannot be any doubt; and, in so far as personal popularity may be deemed a further qualification, he: may unhesitatingly be regarded as, of all the candidates spoken of, the most acceptable to both sides

of the House. But, as the Opposition had made known their intention to J carry, if they could, the appointment to the office of one of their party, it became necessary for the Government j to determine, on public and political grounds rather than personal ones, in , whose favor the votes of their snp- t porters should be given. Looking at 1 the matter in this light, they could not well avoid the conclusion that, of all the candidates available, Mr Hurst t had the strongest claim to the support of their party. He had, on a critical occasion, in concert with others, contributed to the release of the House

from a state of dead-lock,to the placing of the Ministry in power, and to the recovering of the country from a threatened condition of financiil derangement and disaster. Subsequently, when, during the illness of the Speaker, a temporary appointment to the Chairmanship had to be made, he, though nominated by the Government, very considerately and gracefully withdrew from the nomination on learning that his appointment would be distasteful to the Opposition. These are facts which could not fail to weigh with the Government and their supporters, and they are such as must confessedly affect the decision of all dispassionate men. ; They have had their natural effect with some who, forcertain goodreasons, might have felt inclined to prefer Mr Hamlin ; and it must he gratifying to the friends of both gentlemen to know that Mr Hamlin himself so recognises the force of them that, now the Government have taken their resolution, he will give Mr Hurst his hearty support and influence. In as , Burning this friendly attitude, Mr ’ Hamlin is unquestionably acting a noble part. In putting public considerations above private ones, he has furnished an example ’of self-denial which will not be lost on any members of Parliament, and will certainly be remembered to his credit by any Government when the office of Chairman again becomes vacant. What the ’ Opposition now mean to do has not > yet been made known. It has been . commonly understood that it was their ' intention to put Mr T. W. Thom-" | son in nomination for the office; but ; it is possible they may now agree to 1 allow the appointment to be unanimous, and leave the trial of strength with the Government to be made on the West Coast Peace Preservation Bill. To make the appointment of the i Speakership or tbe Chairmanship a 1 test of existing power is rarely a wise | course for the Opposition to take, and if they be convinced that an effort to carry their candidate would prove a ■ failure, it is due to all parties to ab- ; stain from the attempt. Defeat at the beginning of the campaign would carry | with it the demoralisation of their i party; and this, implying as it does 1 a withdrawal of that healthy watchful- * ness which is indispensable to good government, would be a loss to the | country. On the other hand, by conceding to the Government the privi--1 lege ■ undisputed of appointing to the office the honorable member whom, air ' things considered, they deem most deserving of ■ it, they pursue i a course which is prudent ai - well as graceful, seeing it enables them to hold their power in leash for an opportunity better worthy of its display.