A NEW LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLOR.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1876, 9 October 1913, Page 4

A NEW LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLOR.

g .—, VACANCY FILLED. SIR W. HALL-JONES APPOINTED Tlio Hon. Sir William Hall-Jones, lately High Commissioner for Nov/ Zealand in London, was yesterday swornin as a member of the Legislative Council. Sir William Hall-Joucs has been out of tlio political arena since 1908, when ho accepted tlio appointment in London, but previously to that time ho had been Minister of Public Works in tlio Seddon and Waiil Administrations. Tor a brief few months in 190G, on tho death of Mr. Seddon, ho acted as Premier until Sir Joseph Ward, who was abroad at tho tiuio, returned) to Now Zealand. THE COUNCIL SURPRISED. CONGRATULATIONS OF MEMBERS. When the Legislative Council met, the. lion. H. D. J3ell at once announced that lie had a Message from His Excellency tlio Governor. Tho Mossago, road by Mr. Speaker, was a notification that tlio Hon. Sir William llall-Joncs, Iv.C.M.G., had been summoned to tho Legislative Council by writ of summons dated October 7. Sir William Hall-Jones, who was in attendance, was presented to Mr. Speaker by tlia Hon. J. 15. Jenkinson and the Hon. C. A. C. Hardy, and,at once took tlio usual oath. Tlio Hon. H. D. Bell offered congratulations to the honourable gentleman, whoso distinguished career entitled him to a iplaco in the Legislature, (Hear, hear.) ' The Hon. G. Jones next offered congratulations. "This to me," ho said, "is ail agreeable surpriso, and I congratulate the honourable gentleman, and I compliment tho Government on tho selection of a colonist who possesses such a high sense of honour." He added that ho was sure tho wide experience of tho honourable gentleman would be very useful to tho Council in- its deliberations, and ho was suro also that the appointment would meet with -universal approval. Tlio Hon. 0. Samuel Baid ho wished to congratulate tho colony on having obtained tho services of Sir William Hall-Jones in tho Legislative Council. The Hon. C. 11. Mills said ho congratulated tlio Government on the selection of Sir William Hall-Jones. Ho was sure anyone who had followed the career of tlio Hon. Sir William HallJones would know that ho was the right man in the right placo. Tho appointment was the "most gratifying thing" ho had witnessed since ho lnul been in tho Council. 'Ilio Hon. J. Anstey congratulated Sir William Hall-Jones, and ho congratulated tho Government on having secured tlio services of such a man. Tho Government had shown that they at least were capablo of rising above party feeling in making appointments to the Council. Ho suggested (amid laughter) that the appointment was an example which showed that the nominative system of appointment was after all tho best system. The Hon. C. M. Lnko said it was "a unique appointment," and ho thought the Government should bo congratulated as well as the country. The Hon. T. Thomson and the Hon. W. C. F. Caiuicross also tendered congratulations. Tho Hon. Sir William Hall-Jones thanked members for their kindly welcome. Ho assured them that it would be a pleasure to bo associated again with those who, lie knew, had aono good work for the country, and to be associated with gentlemen for whom ho had always had the greatest friendship. Ho believed they could mutually assist one another to promote tho welfare and happiness of the people of this country. (Applause.) ANNOUNCEMENT iN THE HOUSE. A USEFUL MEMBER. 11l the Houso of Representatives tho Primo Minister said he desired to inform the House that His Excellency tho Governor,' acting upon the advice of his Executive, had called tlio Hon. W. Hall-Jones to the Legislative Council. "He has taken tho oatli this afternoon," said 1 Mr. Massey, "and I need liardly say that, from his long Parliamentary experience and his experienco as High Commissioner in London, ho will he a very useful nicmbor or tho second branch of the Legislature." Tlio announcement was applauded in all parts of tho Chamber. Sir Joseph Ward said that' ho desired to supplement the remarks made by the Prime Minister as to tlio suitability of Sir William Hall-Jones for this appointment. At tlio same timo ho desired to congratulate him upon his elevation to tho Legislative Council, and express tho hope that ho would have a very prosperous career. Mr. J. Craigie, as 1 tho member for Timaru, with which town Sir William Hall-Jones is closely connected, said that ho wished to join tho Primo Minister and Sir Joseph Ward in congratulating Sir Wm. Hall-Jones upon his elevation to the Upper House. A fow minutes later Sir. G. W. Russell gave notico of a question relating to the appointment. What was tho significance of this now appointment for a term of seven years, hq asked, in view of tho professed' intention of tho Government to reform tho Legislative Council ? . There was some laughter at tills question, which was increased when Mr. Massey asked : "Docs tho honourable gentleman object to tho appointment? Mr. Russell: Personally I think it is a very good ono.