THE AGENT-GENERAL.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5444, 7 September 1878, Page 3

THE AGENT-GENERAL.

(From the New Zealander , September 4.)

The first duty of tho journalist is to give full and correct reports of the public statements of public men upon subjects which affect the public welfare. The daily Press may advocate tho ideas and principles of opposite parties in the State. One portion may approve aud another condemn the principles proposed or the men who propose them, but it is easily perceived that it a true public opinion is to he formed, the words and actions of statesmen as such must be before the people without perversion and without disguise. Upon the foundation thus laid criticism and remark may be freely built; and every critic, whether adverse or favorable, who brings common sense aod good j udgment to bear upon the subject will at anyrate give light to others, even if it be not always that “ dry light which Bacon loved. During the debate on the Land Tax Bill the Attorney-General when replying to the Hon. Major Atkinson drew forth from that gentleman a statement which ought to be observed by every person who takes an interest in Now Zealand. It appeared, in answer to tho questions of the AttorneyGeneral, that the late Government had offered the Agent-Generalship to Mr. Stafford, and had determined to make Sir Jnlins Vogel the agent for the conversion of the twentymillions of New Zealand loan under the Act for the Consolidation of Stock. This admission made by Major Atkinson is of so important aud remarkable a character that we are surprised at the silence of our morning contemporary, who has entirely omitted to mention it either directly or indirectly. We do not hesitate to say that in the public interest every journal should draw public attention to this most peculiar arraugemeut. The fact should have been duly chronicled, and then all parties' could have argued as to its propriety or otherwise at their pleasure. The silence of tho recognised organ of the late Government upon a subject of such intrinsic gravity is all the more remarkable as it must have been aware of the truth of the statement and of the plan suggested, ever since tlvat plan was formed iu the minds of Dr. Pollen, of Major Atkinson, of Mr. Stafford, and of Sir Julius Vogel. We feel that wo need not apologise for giving prominence to a matter which will afford food for serious thought among all classes and all minds.

So far as regards the appointment of Mr. Stafford to the office of Attorney-General, it may be at once admitted that under ordinary circumstances tho appointment of a gentleman who has for very many years held a most prominent position amongst his fellow colonists to a post of dignity and trust outside the limits of the colony is justifiable, and even meritorious. The political opinions of such a man may not be the opinions which como afterwards into fashion, but if his public life has been such as to entitle him to the regard of his country, he has a species of right to claim tho honor of serving her abroad. We cannot, however, even in the case of Edward Stafford, allow that what we may call the “normal conditions” existed under which such an appointment should he made. Mr. Stafford has been,since the infancy of this country, identified with its public life. Cool in thought, unimpassioned, but correct in expression, studiously polite in manner, certainly not deficient in power of mind or determination of character, he yet recognised, even before bis powers of intellect had failed, that his sun had set. In truth, a whole generation had passed away since it had risen. Men who were children when he ruled with absolute power had come into the arena. His power was gone, but he had the penetration to perceive it, and he retired. His conduct in this respect is in marked contrast with that of his old opponent, for Edward Stafford xvas at once too sensible to set himself up as a buffoon and too proud too endure the scorn which honest men feel for hypocrisy aud impotent malice. We would dismiss the appointment therefore with this objection : That Stafford should have hesitated to accept it from the party in power after the peculiar position xvhich he had hold towards them.

The question of Sir Julius Vogel’s appointment stands upon totally distinct grounds, and xve do not,hesitate to say that the determination of the Atkinson Ministry to make him the agent for the consolidation of stock was a crime to the country whose confidence they professed to have. The payment for tho duties which he would have been called on to perform was to he made by a commission. Will the people of New Zealand believe that the Government, without the advice, consent, or even the knowledge of the House or country, were about to hand over to Sir Julius Vogel the control of such a matter as this, for which he xvas to be paid by a commission ? If Major Atkinson’s Ministry had proposed to give £25,000 to Sir Julius Vogel we should have been somewhat startled, but it could have been publicly approved or refused. But that any Government should have dared to determined secretly to hand over the control of more than twenty millions to their friend is almost beyond belief. Sir Julias Vogel has many friends scattered through the colony. Would any of these have dared to como forward and openly propose such a plan as this ? And if, as we gather, this nefarious soboma was actually concerted or agreed to between Ministers and their Agent-General secretly, then tho blame must fall equally upon both. We commend tho subject to the consideration of the people, and we congratulate that people upon the fact that so dangerous au experiment was never tried. We also desire an expression of public opinion aa to whether such designs should be concealed from the public eye, only to be revealed iu some moment of irritation, or by some careless word.