LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLORS.

Taranaki Daily News, 13 June 1930, Page 8

LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLORS.

Tjie appointment of six new members eo the Legisla-tive Council is probably regarded by many people as a matter of very little importance. It is realised generally that a Parliament comprising a single chamber is undesirable, and therefore there must be a second body capable of revising legislation and when necessary putting a brake upon the exuberance of the people’s elected representatives. But a good many people hold the view that this duty could be performed more efficiently by a small, carefully chosen committee than a collection of about forty amiable old gentlemen, as they are generally supposed to be. It is scarcely to be presumed that the six members chosen by the Forbes Government to fill vacancies caused by death and retirement will add either distinction or exceptional wisdom to the Legislative Council’s performance of its tasks. With the exception of Mr. Robert Masters, who is really far too full of youth and vigour to live the secluded political life of the Upper House, the new Councillors certainly may be regarded as qualified by age for the privileges they are now to enjoy—an honorarium of £315 a year, travelling allowances, and some little distinction at official and social functions. Whether the country will receive commensurate service from them is another question, but one that evidently is not taken into consideration by those responsible for their appointment. It is quite obvious that the only test of their fitness for elevation io.new dignity has been the measure of their loyalty to the party now in power, and eo far as the interest of the country is concerned it is to be regretted that the preferment of these party stalwarts has forbidden the reappointment of one or two members whose term recently expired. Both Mr. Massey and Mr. Coates took the broad-minded view and did not hesitate to appoint to the Council members who had not been on their own side of polities. Mr. Forbes might well have permitted himself to be guided by the very admirable precedent thus established and have recalled to the Council Mr. Edwal'd Newman, who was, of •course, a Reformer in the Lower House, and Mr. James Craigie, an Independent. Both have given useful service to the country over a long period, and each has qualities and experience fitting him for the work of the revising chamber. If Mr. Forbes had asked them to serve for another term, even in addition to Jris six friends, the many people who believe that the country is more important than the party would have been better pleased.