The Times. PUBLISHED ON TUESDAY AND FRIDAY AFTERNOONS. "We nothing extenuate, nor set down aught in malice." TUESDAY, MAY 7, 1918 NEW LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLORS.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 7, Issue 373, 7 May 1918, Page 2

The Times. PUBLISHED ON TUESDAY AND FRIDAY AFTERNOONS. "We nothing extenuate, nor set down aught in malice." TUESDAY, MAY 7, 1918 NEW LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLORS.

If the trite saying that every country is as well governed as it deserves to be is true then everyone w ho has run his eye down the lift ot the nineteen new members just appointed to the Upper House will wonder what special crime calling for punishment New Zealand has recently been guilty of. The only consolation that appears to be in sight is that a chastisement so severe and impalatable may induce us 10 try to deserve better treatment in future and, by deserving, make certain of obtaining it—through the ballof-box. We are fully aware that it is considered the correct thing now-a-days to refrain from criticising any of the actions of the National Government because it consists of all the talents—a political synonym for successful placehunters —of both parties, who have patriotically resolved to bury all differences and draw ministerial salaries and allowances for the salvation of the country—and, incidentally, of the Empire. Bui while extremely anxious to behave with the utmost correctness we may perhaps be pardoned for suggesting, in the humblest manner and with the best intentions, that a National Government should think nationally and act nationally. If the appointment of political hacks and party journalists to the revising Chamber is necessary for the winning of the war we offer our apologies in advance. Even if it is only done for the laudable purpose of increasing the average decent man's contempt and aversion for the politician we have no adverse comment to make. But if it is done for neither of these reasons, but merely for party purposes and to reward faithful if somewhat questionable services in the past, we can only say that if this is the best a National Government can give us the sooner the nominative principle is done away with and the Legislative Council becomes an elective body the better. We are glad to have succeeded in dealing with this delicate

matter without being led into saying anything which even the most evil-minded person could twist into an adverse criticism of the best of all possible Governments. And we cannot close without a grateful tribute to their wisdom .and patriotism for we cannot detect among the names ot the new Councillors that of a single alien or even of a British-born citizen whose parents were natives of Germany.