Manawatu Herald. SATURDAY, APRIL 11, 1891. The Agent-Generalship.

Manawatu Herald, Volume III, Issue III, 11 April 1891, Page 2

Manawatu Herald. SATURDAY, APRIL 11, 1891. The Agent-Generalship.

♦ — • After the suggestion of making Mr Hutchison or Mr Percival AgentGeneral, when Sir Dillon Bell's term of office expires, it comes most refreshing to find that the Evening Press has made a proposal that seems j most fitting, and that is, that MrW. H. Levin be asked to accept the position. The Press points out, that the Agent-General should be a man of moderate views, with a level head and an equable temper ; a man, above all things else, of large experience in commercial affairs, and with a mind trained to readily grasp business concerns in all their bearings. New Zealand is essentially destined to be a trading community. It has vast natural resources only in the early process of development. It is of very great importance, therefore, that its representative in London should be a man thoroughly competent to look after its trade, and to assist in the development of its natural resources. The Pi ess then sums up Mr Levin's standing. " Though he takes a keen interest in public affairs, colonial and local, he is never extreme in his views. He is thoroughly clear-headed, equable in temperament, and is the personification of gentlemanly courtesy. Moreover, he has all the commercial and business knowledge that are indispensable to the position. He possesses independent means, and could pleasantly keep up the social amenities to the position — a thing which no man not possessed of a private competence would be able to do on the extremely moderate salary paid to the Agent-General of this colony. Mr Levin is open-handed to a fault, and he would win golden opinions from " all sorts and conditions of men " in London. The appointment, too, would be extremely popular in all classes of society in New Zealand, and amongst all shades of politicians." We need not expect the holder of the office to be appointed for his fitness to fill it. The present Government are daily showing us that political offices are to be reserved for their supporters, and Mr Levin is not amongst them. The Post in writing on this question declares against Mr Levin because he has not attained " Cabinet rank in the colony." We believe with our contemporary that " of one thing the Ministry may be assured, and that is that Parliament will want to know who the next Agent-General is to be i before it will vote that officer's salary ftext session."