NOTES AND COMMENTS.

West Coast Times, 25 June 1912, Page 2

NOTES AND COMMENTS.

We have ceased to marvel at the inexplicable doings of the members of Mr Mackenzie’s very delicate administration, but the Stop-Gap Cabinet’s latest performances makei us yoally wonder how long the public will'stand by and allow the prostitution of their rights. It seems to us that the time is opportune for the setting up of a fourth and final Commission. This one for the purpose of enquiring into the sanity of the members of the Government. Improprieties, humiliating prevarications, and deliberate distortions are becoming such every day occurrences that we should not bo at all surprised to receive notification at any time that the Stop-Gap Ministry had elevated itself lock, stock and barrel into the more comfortable, the more secure, the more velvety seats in that Old Men’s Home, known as

tlio Legislative Council. Such a decision would not astound the country more than the unblushing offrontry and the political impropriety of the Cabinet’s latest actions.

This Cabinet which has had the audacity to -hold office for three months on the backing of, at the most, twenty-two members, without the sanction of Parliament or the country. Wo refer to the crass impertinence in making the appointments which have been announced within the last day or two, and all this within a few hours of the meeting of Parliament, which will sec them thrown out. Mr. Mackenzie’s ill-sorted crew have filled the vacancy created by Sir Joseph Ward’s much belated refusal to sit on tho Trade Commission, while they have made three appointments to the Upper Hcuso which will call for severe criticism.

Ws need not differentiate in connection with the appointments made to the Legislative Council. Wo strongly oppose tho whole business. Tho time has surely gone by when the onlyqualification necessary for a seat in tho Upper House is years of service in the interests of the Party in power. The three appointees are of tho same political colour, and a very dull colour at that. New Zealand’s Upper House oshould bo composed of men in the prime of life; men of strong mentality and vitality. But apart from that aspect of the question; is it not apposite to draw attention to the fact that tho country- has declared with no uncertain sound in favour of placing the cnostitution of tho Legislative Council in tho molting pot, and removing tho odium and reproach which now attach to it. Mr. Mackenzie’s latest flouting of tho wishes of tho people can only bo regarded as one of the last nails in tho coffin which will provide the last resting place of the most unhappy, insincere and unwelcome Cabinet that has ever occupied tho Treasury Bench of tho Now Zealand Assembly.

The appointment of the Hon. J. R. Sinclair, M.L' r O., to represent Now Zealand on the Imperial Trade Commission calls for little comment, except to say that it is one of the most unsatisfactory appointments made by an unsatisfactory Government. Mr Sinclair may have a whole bushel of qualifications, hut so far ho has not come very prominently into the public eye. Ho is a member of the much abused and very obedient Upper House; he is a solicitor by profession, and was once chairman of a High School Board! ! .Whether these questionable qualifications weighed with the Cabinet when the appointment was made wo do not know, but probably tli o fact that in consequence of tho nice patriotic spirit displayed by Sir Joseph Ward, New Zealand is unrepresented on tho Commission, and that Mr Sinclair is in England enabled tho Cabinet to make this very unsatisfactory appointment. Truly it may bo said that Mr Mackenzie is very successfully heaping up a fine reserve of coals of fire which will eventually consume him and his ill-sorted crow.