THE New Zealand Times. (PUBLISHED DAILY.) SATURDAY, DECEMBER 14, 1895. THE COUNCIL APPOINTMENTS.

New Zealand Times, Volume LVII, Issue 2691, 14 December 1895, Page 2

THE New Zealand Times. (PUBLISHED DAILY.)

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 14, 1895. THE COUNCIL APPOINTMENTS.

With whhh are incorporated the Wellington fudepCiuta'iUy established 13-15, and the jVino 'Zealander,

All speculation lias been sot at rest by tho appointment of four new councillors. Wo should like to have seen a few morn, as tho Council required strengthening. Of tho four appointments which wore made possible by the smoothing out of a little difficulty which arose some little time ago, the first thing that strikes one is that they restore the balance of power to what it was before tho four last vacancies. The Wellington district gets one in place of, the late Mr Hart; Mr Wilson is succeeded on the Napier side by Mr W. G. Smith ; the West Coast vacancyls filled by Mr Richard Reeves; and the middle portion of tho Middle Island, which has lost a representative, gets Mr Joues. In the second place tho appointments represent a fair exorcise of party judgment. No doubt it would have been more pleasing to tho Opposition, as has been pointed out, if the chief men of that party who have retired, from ono cause or another, from the Lower House had been included. But it has also been pointed out, fairly enough, that it is not the practice of Governments in these matters to consult tho feelings of their opponents by going to them for their nominations to the Second Chamber. That may bo done in the millennium, or it may bo tho practice when that particular instalment of tho millennium known as the elective executive system is established. But till then tho old practice will probably continue to be in vogue. Mr Arkwright is a true Liberal vho ha* worked for tho cause, and made sacrifices for it. He is well furnished for Parlia* mentary work, and Ims deserved well of his party. Mr George Jones is by no means unknown to fame. As a journalist he came into prominence some fifteen or sixteen years ago in connection with a smart article which brought him into contact with the House, and then before the Supreme Court, where he defended, and won a ;celebrated libel action. Very soon after he got into Parliament, and distinguished himself as a capable representative, who always did his work conscientiously and industriously. He has served the Liberal Party in his paper (tho Oamaru Mail) with staunchness, ability and conspicuous vigour. He too has deserved well of tho party, It is tho first time that the claims of journalism to Council rank have been recognisod, Time was when nominations to tho Council was confined to tho learned professions and to agriculture. Of late years, however, the field of choice has been largely extended j and, that being tho case, why not working journalists as well as othoc working mon ? Wo congratulate Mr Jones on his appointment, to which ho brings knowledge of public affairs; uprightness and industry. Mr W. C, Smith's appointment takes no one by surprise. He has been mentioned as one of the new Councillors any time during tho last two years, because it was generally known that ho had done good service to the Liberal Party. Duringhis long service in the Lower House ho was accepted as one of the ablest of its members. Mr R. Beeves lias never swerved iu his allegiance to the Liberal Party since the Grey days. He is, besides, a very able Parliamentarian, who may be depended upon for steady work. The Government has recognised tho claims of its supporters, and is sure of getting support in the Council for all measures for which they have received the popular mandate.