THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL APPOINTMENTS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 13811, 26 January 1907, Page 6

THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL APPOINTMENTS.

STATEMENT BY THE LEADER 01 THE OPPOSITION. THE ELECTTVU 573113,1. (Pμ Uhitsd Priss Assocutioh.) AUCKLAND, January 25. Mr W. ,F. Maesey, M.H.R., Loador of the Opposition, was to-day asked to express his opinion gonorally on the now appointments to tho Legislative Council. "Wliat do I think o{ t]ie appointments," ho answered, reflectively. "Well, I think that men appointed to tho Legislative Council ehould, if possible, bo men who have had legislative experience, men, too, Who posses) t.Vio confidence of tho public, and to whom, tho publio ran look up to and respooi. If I wore to ask you hoty many of those, just appointed possess the qualifications I havo outlined I venture to 6ay your answer would bs a very fow indeed. Thoro is ono appointment," Mr Massey added, "to whioh no exception can ho taken, and I refor to that of Mr 0. Samuol, of New Plymouth, who, I bcliero, will bo an acquisition to tiJie Couooij, and whom eleotora would have been willing to select, as ono of their representatives at any time during tho last dozen years; but others, and this is tho real tost, would scarcely havo a ohanoo nndor an _ olectiv< eystem, whdra people had free choice with' out any other influences boinif bfoijßhfc to bear." The Prime Minister deolaied at iho conversaziono at Wellinijton on Thursday niglit that when appointments were lieing made provincial represontativis and population basie hnd to bo coneidered. In your opinion lias ; ho followed out- that klca? "My answer to that qnestion," Mr Mosey slatod with emphasis, "is what consideration has l>pon (riven to the representatiwi of tho Auckland provinoo districts? If (lio Prims Minister tliinke that the great commcToi.il, agricultural, and industrial interests of this proyinco are to bo assisted with one representative, whoso nddwss is Kawhia, then ho is very much mistaken." Then you thihk the gontlemon who have been appointed aro not representative- of the colony as a wholo? "I am certainly of that opinion. I think the appointments ae a -wholo will not bo satisfactory'■to tho electors of tho colony, and presenfe another very strong argument , in favour of cvn clectivo system. I simplj cannot understand how self-reepeoting men can accept the position of momiora of the Council under ench conditions, and, in any oase in a democratic oomniiinity liko Now Zealand a, system of appointment by the Government of tlio day should not lx> tolerated."

~ Would you ro so far as to say a, second Chamber is unnecessary, providing, of oouree, a change- to elective system is not made?

"I look upon a proporiy-constitnted Legislative Council a? a. very ueoful institution, but many of tjig appointment of the la/>t Foot years have almost led me to boliova that out LcgJstative Council is not ■worth, the money that it'carts the colony, and that wo would be better without it than with it." •

Mr Massoy also stated that he will take an earlv opportunitv of discussing tho matter further from the publio platform,

VIEWS OF MR J. P. ARNOLD, M.H.R. Mv J. F. Arnold, M.H.R., when requested yesterday [by a Daily Times reporter to give his views regarding tho recent Logis. lative Council appointments, said:— "As you aro no doubt. aware, I am in favour of tho abolition of tho Upper House, and as it is almost impossible to get legislation passed by that Chamber which would bring about i)« own death, I was in hopes that the administration would not make any other appointments, and thereby, bring about the end so many of us desire'; or, if they were not prepared to go that far, would at ]ea6t pass legislation by which tho mode of appointment would bo very much improved. It is evident, however, from the apomtmente just made, that the Government intend to continuo the bi-annual system, and on present constitutional lines. With regard to tho appointmeiite themselves, it ie hardly to be expected that one should make individual comparisons. The appointees seem to represent all interests in tho community, and almost every shade of opinion. Personally, I am delighted with the appointment of someof the new Councillors, but on the other hand, I cannot understand whv others Jiavo "been selected. Of course, wo must tako it'for granted that the Government havo sufficient reason from its point of view,. but , I should havo been better pleased if the manufacturing and commercial intoroete had been moro largely represented, I think the representation of tho legal profession is too great. I much Togret that Mr Leo Smith ia not amongst those who have been " called." During fho time that was in tho Council, he 6howed that ho pos-essod more than the average ability in legislative matters, and ho is a man who has a thorough grasp of the commercial, manufacturing, and labour intcrcflte of the colony. With regard to the appointment of the Labour representatives, surprise, I think, will be felt that both Wellington and Aueldandi have been passed over, and especially thai Mi , Mosser, of tho latter city, baa been overlooked." MP, PAUL'S APPOINTMENT. The following letter expresses tho congratulations of the Otago Trades and Labour Council to Jtfr J. T. Paul' on liia appointment to the Legislative Council:— Trades Hall, January 25, 1907. Dear Sir, —On behalf of the Otago Trades and Labour Council, and bv (Uβ direction of the exeeutivo of that body, I havo tho greatest pleasure in congratulating .foil on your appointment to tho Legislative Council of Now Zealand, as a representative of Labour. Your many years' experience in tho various positions you havo occupied in tho Labour cause, and the intelligence you have at all times brought to bear in dealing with ,thoso questions which vitaJly affect tho workere, prove conclusively that, iu the higher position you arc now calkxl upon to fill, tho interests oE those you have most at heart will bo faithfully conserved. Wo wish you every success, in your now Bphoro of duty and sincerely trust you will, during your parliamentary career, see- many of the rqforim you have advocated with such conspiouom success placed upon the Statute Books ol tho colony.—With best wishes, I remain, yours faithfully, R. Bbeen, Secretary.

PRESS OPINIONS. Referring to t|ie now appointments to tho Legislative Council tlio Christchurch Press stafes:—"lt was said when, tho ncv/ to tho Legislative Council wero annatincod tho list would be moro or less of a surprise. This prodiction has ten'verified, and mingled with tho surprise will be a certain amount of disappointment on the part of the piiblie. Wo admit at onco that tho list is superior to the general average of tbo late Mi' Scddon's appointment, but Mr Seddon's standard, with few exceptions, was so lev that, (ho public at length camo to tho conclusion that ho had formed a deliberate policy of lowering tho Council in Iho estimation of tho public, and consequently lessening its influence. What wo particularly regret is that tlio Government has apparently attached so littlo important to political experience on tho'put of its nominees. Tho bull; oE them aro liltta known outside their own particular local itie≤. Wo are glad, however, to seo that tlio Government has strengthened the legal clement in tlie Council—a course we urged very strongly upon it eomo lime ago. , Sir Oliver Samuel, of New Plymouth, in addition to his legal ability, has some political experience, having been a member of the House of Representatives Eomo years ago. Messrs Sincliiir find Callan, of Diincdin, aru both of good standing in tho conveyancing branch o£ tho profession, and altliougi they aro .'practically new to public liffl will doubtless bo able to do good service in helping lo prevent tho batl draughtsmanship which so frequently niakf. our statutes a stumbling block. Two Labour leaders—Mr J. T. Paul (of Dunodin) aiid Mr Barr (of Clirislohurch)—aro included in tho lisr. ]3oth are men of intelligence—th« former especially,—-and if they a.ro genorally necepted by tho Labour party as tho best exponents of its viows. their appointment will bo justified. Wo quite agree that tho labour sido of public gnestions should bo adequately dealt with ill tho debates in tho Upper House.