LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL APPOINTMENTS

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 194, 6 May 1918, Page 4

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL APPOINTMENTS

0- . If the political "tipsters'] have been at all successful in their forecast of coming appointments to the Legislative Council, that Chamber is not at ail likely to rise in public esteem as the result of the accession to its numerical strength. Some of the names mentioned aro thoso of men well equipped to render useful service in the tipper Charabor of tho Legislature; others plainly represent political appointments of the most unmistakable type. But, as a correspondent points out to-day, tho most striking feature of the selection said to have been made by tho party leaders is the absence of representatives of farming interests. At the present time the Legislative Council is singularly weak numerically in members qualified to speak with first-hand knowledge on questions affecting our primary producers, and this in a country which depends almost entirely on the farmers for its prosperity now and in the future. So far as we are aware, not a single farmer has been mentioned in the long list of names of likely appointees mentioned, and it is doubtful if there is anyone in the list actively associated with our primary industries. Presumably it is too 'lato now to rectify the matter, but if such is not the case .we would bring tho omission under the notice of the Government, and if tho full list of appointments is not yet completed would urge that tho consideration they deserve should bo given to tho interests of the primary producers of ijhe Dominion.