The Manawatu Herald. Saturday, July 9, 1910. LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL APPOINTMENTS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXII, Issue 863, 9 July 1910, Page 2

The Manawatu Herald. Saturday, July 9, 1910. LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL APPOINTMENTS.

Wk urged the claims of the West Coast long since to representation in the Legislative Council, and now that there are several vacancies in the Upper Chamber, the time is opportune to again put forward the claims of this vast territory, extending from Wellington to Taranaki, at present without representation. We possess men who would make very worthy representatives. Let us cite a few: Ex-member John Stevens: although the old veteran declares, despite his infirmity—which we all so much deplore —that he is fit in every respect to contest the Mauawatu against all comers, he objects to be “ put on the shelf.” A large number of people in this electorate, including many of his old friends and supporters, would be pleased to see him elevated and removed from the more strenuous political work. By his great knowledge of the political history of the Dominion, he would be a valuable acquisition to the Revising Chamber. Then there is Mr W. Wood, ex M.P. for Palmerston, another experienced politician whose health of late has been anything but promising, and whose services are deserving of recognition. Again, Mr E. W. Fraukland, whose actuarial ability would be of incalculable value to Parliament. We might also urge the claims of that well-known journalist Mr W. C. Nation, of Levin, whose able advocacy of close settlement along the Mauawatu Line, and his persistent efforts for the advancement

aud welfare of the prosperous towns between Shannon aud Otaki should not be overlooked. Apart from this his long experience as a journalist would more than justify his claims. No doubt there are many other gentlemen higher up the coast whose claims to consideration, when Cabinet is filling the bill, are of equal merit to those mentioned. The point is the West Coast should not be overlooked when the matter is under consideration, and we are pleased to note that Mr D. H. Guthrie has moved to ask the Prime Minister whether the Government when submitting names to His Excellency the Governor for appointment to till the vacancies in the Legislative will consider the claims of the West Coast.