LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL APPOINTMENTS

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

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL APPOINTMENTS

COUNTRY'S INTERESTS NEGLKCTHD. Sir,—As a farmer, I looked over the names of those who are tuggested as likely to be offered a seat in the Council. They are summed ip thus: Two lawyers, three editors of newspapers and one proprietor, a chairman of an education board, a former teacher (who may be classed as a very useful i-cieniist), a merchant, and an old miner irom the Coast. To this it has beeu telegraphed to the country papers this morning that a retired merchant, who is now doing good war work, will be appointed. 1 have nothing to say against any of those appointees, but would ;°sk you to note that not one of them has anything to do with the land. The present Council has only three memlwrs connected with farming pursuits, since deaths have made further gaps in their ranks. Aoout seven-eighths of our exports come from the land, and one-eleventh of the Council would represent the farming community. Is this a fair representation of a section which, ;f we had «n elective Council, would have a much greater number ot representatives? I am-.sura that the fanners think that Sir Walter Buchanan and his lieutenants are able to represent their views, but in politics numbers count, and I should like to cuter a protest against any selection that does not give fairer representation to the farmers—l am, etc., A COUNTRY MAN.