THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 8351, 11 February 1913, Page 6

THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

It is understood that the Hon. W. P. Massey has in one of his pockets a list of contemplated appointments to the Legislative Council which may be gazetted at any moment. This will be gratifying news to the hardshell Tories, who dearly love their House of Lords, because it affords them some reason to hope that tho Hon. W-. P. Massey will not carry out the dire threat, uttered in a moment of temporary Liberal aberration, that he would make the Upper House elective or abolish it altogether. When Mr Massey was on tho election platform, it was his custom and delight to represent himself as a real, sterling, and thorough-going Liberal. We mention this fact at the present moment, becausel, if popular report can be relied upon, and wo believe it is well warranted, the proposed appointments to the Council are certainly calculated to establish Mr Massey’s claim to bo regarded as a Liberal beyond any possible doubt. Two of the proposed nominations are sufficient to speak for the whole. It is reported, tor example, that that fine old Liberal Mr John Duthie is to be called. If there is one real, sterling and thorough-going Liberal in New Zealand, apart from Mr Massey himself, it surely is Mr Duthie. In Wellington, for the greater part of half a century, tho name of Duthie has, might we be allowed to suggest, stood for Liberalism aud political progressiveness. Let the record of this gentleman in the House of Kcpresen-

tatives act as the guarantee oi our vords. From the “Reform” point of view, we cordially approve of the appointment. Mr Duthie, in view ol Ins active work for the party and the fact that he furnishes it with much of its brainy guidance, is entitled to demand the position, and wo cannot imagine that Mr Massey, seeing where ho stands, can well refuse it, even it he thought he had any reason to do so Then again we art" also told that that other line old Liberal, Sir'_ AV illiam Russell, is on the list. This is well. There can be no question of Sir William Russell’s sympathy with Liberalism. It stands in a conspicuous place alongside his whole-souled desiro to cut up the largo estates and settle the people on small holdings. When these two sound Liberals, and others of similar progressive political convictions, are firmly seated in the Legislative Council, as they probably soon will be, Mr Massey will no longer be _ haunted by the pursuing dread that his graduated land and income tax proposals, his plans for cheapening the cost of living, and his exertions to adjust the burden of taxation more equitably on the shoulders of the wealthy will be thrown out by a democratic majority of reactionary sympathies. AV e congratulate Mr Massey on the magnificent proof ho is planning for us of his sterling Liberalism. From the “Reform party point of view*,- also, wo offer oui cordial congratulations on the contemplated appointment of two men, who, by their political work, aro entitled to front seats in the higher councils of their own party and certainly of the country.