GOVERNMENT NOMINEES

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1080, 20 March 1911, Page 4

GOVERNMENT NOMINEES

AN INTERESTING CASE. The "Pelorus Guardian" of Friday last has tho following concerning a vacancy on the Marlborough Land Board caused by the expiry of Mr. It. M. Reader's term of office as the Government nominee :— Mr. John Duncan, M.P., wired to the 'Minister on Monday Inst as follows:—"I trust you will 110 longer delay reappointment of Mr. 11. M. Header. ■ Consider him most capable for the position." Tho Min-ister's-reply to this was that "the appointment of a member of the Land Board was still under consideration." Now, the impression this reply conveys is that the Government, in stating that the appointment of a member is under consideration, are seeking for a member who will conform more readily than in their opinion Mr. Reader does to their belief that the spoils should go to the victors—in other words, that their nominee on the board shall be of the right "colour." It is stated to be no secret that the position has been offered to a staunch supporter of the Ward Government, and that he, fearing that his acceptance will somewhat complicate certain political aspirations, has asked for time to consider tho matter. Whether "this is so or not wo cannot say, but there is strong evidence to. prove that in this case tho Government are not studying the interests of tho public in delaying the appointment in so extraordinary a manner. As a practical and successful farmer of wide experience, Mr. Reader has fully proved his fitness as a member of the board, nnd it is quite certain that there is not in the whole of Marlborough a more capable member. This fact gives colour to the belief tint men aspiring to public positions in the gift of the Government must qualify for them by political fawning, and not by rnoritim If.i.thisn.ifijiiot, .;/T«nmanyism it 'tt'otild be'intfiresting to know what is (he Government's interpretation of the word.