UPPER HOUSE APPOINTMENTS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22826, 10 March 1936, Page 8

UPPER HOUSE APPOINTMENTS

It is probable that many readers, scanning the list of nominees for appointment to the Legislative Council, will address to themselves the tentative query, “Who are they?” The party affiliations of the fourteen chosen by Mr Savage should at least partially answer the question. The Prime Minister will doubtless hold it to be adequately answered, and there should be none anxious to quarrel with his judgment in the matter. Mr Savage iiad, first and foremost, a purpose to serve in deciding on the appointments which we announce this morning. In the present Upper House of twentysix members only three are actual representatives of the Government. When the fourteen prospective members are sworn in, which will be when Parliament meets on March 25, the representation of the Labour Party will be increased very substantially, though not to the extent of giving the Government a majority in the Council. Mr Savage has not been concerned to achieve such a position; he has, at the moment, no reason to think it either necessary or desirable. But it is definitely desirable that the Dominion’s first Labour Government should be in a position to have its legislative proposals—which, it is to be presumed, will not be lacking cither in originality or in interest —clearly and forcefully expounded in the Upper House no less than in the House of Representatives, where it will have such exceptional strength in debate. Ten days ago, when the Prime Minister made reference to impending appointments to the Legislative Council, he suggested that the task of making a choice would not be without its embarrassments. The Government, he said, had “hundreds of applications” to consider. It is surprising, and it should be gratifying, to know that the Dominion possesses such a wealth of legislative talent anxious to expend itself in the public interest. And it can fairly be assumed that the task of reducing these hundreds to fourteen —not nine or ten, as was at first contemplated —was not one to be undertaken without some misgivings. So many were eager to be called, but few, alas, could be chosen! The Prime Minister, in spite of obvious difficul-

ties, appears to have managed very well. He has achieved an extraordinarily equitable geographical distribution. Further, if it can be said that party services have been rewarded —• and there is no lack of precedent for that course —the choice has fallen on men who, for the most part, have a long and useful connection ; with the Labour movement to their credit, and can therefore be expected to be of assistance to the Government in the important sphere to which they are being transferred. There is one notable departure from the strict principle which Iras governed the selection of the new Councillors. The inclusion of Sir Charles Statham in the list will be received with pleasure and approval throughout the electorate, regardless of political convictions. The former Speaker of the House of Representatives is equipped to bring conspicuous talents and a wealth of experience to bear on the legislative problems of the day. Mr Savage is to be complimented on ensuring that the exceptional capacities of Sir Charles are still to be at the disposal of the Legislature.