THE KING COUNTRY CHRONICLE. MONDAY, FEB. 22, 1909. MR NGATA'S APPOINTMENT.

King Country Chronicle, Volume III, Issue 133, 22 February 1909, Page 2

THE KING COUNTRY CHRONICLE. MONDAY, FEB. 22, 1909. MR NGATA'S APPOINTMENT.

The point raized by Mr Masscy, leader of the Opposition, in connection with the appointment of Mr Nagta to a position in the Cabinet seems to carry with it the recommendation of common fensc. Moreover, in objecting to the acticn of the Premier in advocating the claim* of a certain Maori candidate at the recent election ot ! Mapri representatives, Mr Massey will ; be MpffOfted bj* a wide public. In the same connection it will be rempmb/.-r',-d that Sir Joseph Ward, when visiting ' Te Kuiti last year, took the opportunity of espousing the cause of Hcnare. ; fcsiftaii fpj: the Western Maori ekctoi rate. The poor defence of the Premier • that he acted in his prival* raparj£y ; is by no means creditable to a man oc- | cupyfng the position of the head of the : Government of the Dominion. The I subject of Native representation baa j been freely discussed at various times, { and the opinion that the time is ripe ! for doing a*-ay with the system is J widely held. In any case the inclusion i jp the Cabinet of a member elected •P****iiif P£* $e Maori race is bound to draw criticism. /}n;'iously any Minister who has charge of important financial departments should be reto a European constituency. ffalfp ii M "/ yap.*! iiify <<rtitnetki for thj- p'jjui'u, u,;; : .-tv r -]. ::.'-f----lv the ftict that fd! Mii-i-i' rs i ■n.KfnlinK depart;:,.■;••.. ;..:?,■<■• in;.;- tk- j'n.ai body *nf Kurop. ;.;■ ekr-tor." should ho .

; directly responsible to a European constituency. That the sanr - - rightsand privileges thai are enjoyed by Europeans, skou!d i >■ «-:■:t>.-r.ric-f 1 lw Natives is admitted : y a'.:, i ut th<- important point that ib- same responsibilities should a!.--., i < :::: iertaken has apparently, ii. this ca-i . be«-n overlooked. M> N'gata is rtT.,gn ised as a capable man. possessing qualifications of no ordinary nature. This fact has doubtless influenced the Premier in his action with , regard to the appointment. When ; Parliament meets there is every prospect of the matter being thoroughly debated, and apart altogether from sentimental considerations, there is every reason why it should be.