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New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 4510, 3 September 1875, Page 2

The short discussion in the House of Representatives on Wednesday last, arising out of Mr. Wales’s motion, relative to the appointment of a Surveyor-General for the colony, presents several features of importance. The first and most remarkable feature of all is, that such a motion was deemed necessary, under any circumstances ; and the second is, that the House should have considered it expedient to give an instruction of any kind to the Government with regard to the selection of such an officer. These are the more significant points in the whole affair, and it would be manifestly improper in us as journalists to pass them over in silence. The circumstance is so unusual as to demand comment, for it implies a great deal more than appears at first sight. Taken in connection with the opinions expressed during the debate, it implies an uneasy feeling on the part of the House, that the rule is to ignore colonial experience in the selection of officers to till responsible positions in New Zealand ; and it is also an unmistakeable expression of opinion, that this rule is viewed with disfavor. All things being equal, the House has declared, that the selection of a burveyor-General should be made from professional men of experience within the colony ; but who are to be the judges of the relative merits of persons eligible for such an appointment 1 Clearly the selection rests with Ministers, and it is at this point that the real significance of the discussion and resolution of the House is felt. It is taken for granted apparently, that if Ministers are left to the exercise of their own free will, a gentleman would be selected for this high position outside the colony, otherwise the resolution is meaningless; and the House says, as plain as words can express it, that it objects to this being done. It is an unmistakeable intimation that in the opinion of the House the

Government have looked abroad for professional services when they might have obtained quite as good an article at home. We trust the hint may be acted upon. We think, now that New Zealand is setting up a national policy, it should encourage New Zealand talent. The prizes of the Bench are very properly falling to members of the New Zealand Bar ; and we do not see any good reason why prizes in other professions should be distributed outside the colony. We quite agree with those members, who stated that there ai’e surveyors in New Zealand who have done good and durable work in time past, and who are quite as competent to undertake the duties of Surveyor-General as any gentleman who has acquired his experience in other fields ; and we say further, that these men have a preferential claim. Neither is the choice limited to one or two. It is much wider than many persons suppose; and so it may also be remarked of other departments of the public service. Eor example, what work could be better done, under more discouraging circumstances —without proper instruments, or a regular and trained staff—than that of the weather branch of the Marine Department 1 There are trained nautical men in the Colony—- “ mere colonists —men of high scientific attainments, who could bring the forecasting of storms and the system of weather signals to the highest perfection under Captain Edwin, if they were commissioned to the work and supplied with proper instruments. And this remark equally applies to the Survey Department. The Government need not go outside the Colony for a Surveyor-General and an efficient staff. The Survey Department may be as well organised by any one of half-a-dozen gentlemen we might name as by Major Palmee, whose name was prominently used in the debate. But having said this, we by no means wish it to be understood that we depreciate in any way the value of the work done by that gentleman. On the contrary, we think it was excellent of its kind, and of very great value to the colony; but there we stop. The policy of appointing a Sur-veyor-General is admitted ; that the selection of that officer should be made within the colony is also generally conceded ; what follows, therefore, is matter of detail. It resolves itself into a mere question of “money and administra- “ tion.”

Now, on this branch of the subject, Mr. Fitzhbebert made a suggestion which is well worth consideration. He said that it might be more economic, as well as being a better arrangement, if instead of having a Surveyor-General and two Deputy-Surveyor-Generals—one in each island—they should have a Sur-veyor-General in each island, and so dispense with the third, and superior, officer. There was no connection, he pointed out, between the surveys of the North and Middle Island. This suggestion has a great deal to recommend it, and we trust the Government will give it due consideration before determining to act upon the report of Major Palmer. In any case, the country must be prepared for a very large expenditure in rectifying surveys in most of the provinces, and this should be a charge upon the land fund.