ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 823, 23 May 1910, Page 3

ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT.

Sir,—-In view of the fact that the legislation of this country has become So complicated, and such great issues are continually at stake, requiring men of skill and learning to deal with them, does it not seem reasonable that, in order that the work should be coped

with successfully, only the best men be chosen for that purpose? You will agree with me that the best men either intellectually or politically are not always chosen. In order to remedy this obvious defect it appears necessary that some test or examination should be conducted, that the ability required for such work be known. Hero are positions of serious responsibility, perhaps of tho greatest responsibility in the land, filled (?) by some who are not overburdened with gifts absolutely essential to holders of such places, and to whom the right to occupy such places is only given by gift of flowery speech or unfulfilled promises made to the innocent people. Now, Sir, in ordinary life and businoss routine, tests as to capacity to occupy positions of public service aro compulsory—doctors, lawyers, ministers, chemists, master mariners, and hosts of others have to gain. certificates of right to perform their 'responsible works, and yet the greatest and lasting responsibilities aro undertaken by, in many cases, incapable' men, because tho people say it is their wish that they should do so. However, I suppose thatold saying still lives , somewlioro and somehow:—"Vox populi, vox Dei."— I am, etc., PRO P.-VTRIA.