The Marlborough Express. Published Every Evening. SATURDAY, JANUARY 31, 1891. LIBERAL LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL APPOINTMENTS.

Marlborough Express, Volume XXVII, Issue 26, 31 January 1891, Page 2

The Marlborough Express. Published Every Evening. SATURDAY, JANUARY 31, 1891. LIBERAL LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL APPOINTMENTS.

♦ As from time to time the cry is raised that the Stout- Vogel Government raised more politicians to the Legislative Council than the Atkinson Government did, it is as well to direct attention to the facts of the case, which will show that, even though m numbers their record has been greater than that of their opponents, the honors have at least not been confined to those who have servilely supported them, or have deserved (?) recognition by " ratting " at some critical period m their history. The Lyttelton Times has devoted some space to the matter, and we cannot do better than quote what it says on the point. It writes :— " Let us give examples: The Hon Mr Taiaroa was appointed because he had been, by a slip of the Native Minister m the Grey Government (the late Mr Sheehan), nominated when he held a Native Assessorship. This flaw m his appointment had been discovered and used against him m the Council by Sir F. Whitaker when Mr Taiaroa had the temerity to denounce the Ministry. Till then no objection was made to his appointment. This appointment was then simply a reappointment, and it counts two, we suppose, m the memorandum. Further, it should not be forgotten that Mr Taiaroa was promised, m writing, his appointment by a colleague of Sir Harry Atkinson, the late Sir Donald MaClean ; and for fulfilling a pledge of Sir Harry's colleague, two nominations are counted against the Liberals! Then take another example, that of the appointment of the Hon George Buckley. Mr Buckley had been m England, and not expecting the first session m 1884 to ba so soon over, he did not arrive m the colony till Parliament had been dissolved, and his seat was, m consequence of a decision given by the Privy Council m a Queensland case, declared forfeited. The Stout-Vogel Ministry reappointed him, and this is another nomination counted against the Liberals. Then we had amongst the members appointed by the Stout-Vogel Government such names as those of the Hon. Messrs Swanson, Kenny, Morris, Walker, and others. We do not require to point out that Mr Swanson was an Atkinsonian, voting from 1879 to 1884 with Sir Harry. Captain Kenny, when m the House, was voting on the same side. Mr Walker never called himself a Liberal ; Captain Morris was Sir Harry's whip. And so we might go through other names." — This puts the matter m a very different light to that m which Conservative organs are continually putting it, and Liberals need feel no cause for shame that so many were sent up, when they compare the past records of these men with tbe one-sided elevations just made. We could instance another case, m addition to those mentioned by our con. temporary— the Hon. Robert Pharazyn, a large landowner, whom the Liberals sent up, but who is personally a devoted supporter of Mr Bryce. If to send up political oppo- ! nents is a crime of which the Stout-Vogel

party wore guilty — and if, on the other hand, promotion of friend 3 because of their having turned their coats is a virtue — the late Ministry can claim, and its friends are welcome to, all the kudos the action deserves.