Wellington, July 19. OUR AGENT-GENERAL.

Te Aroha News, Volume VII, Issue 387, 24 July 1889, Page 5

Wellington, July 19. OUR AGENT-GENERAL.

Considerable discussion was raised in the House yesterday afternoon by Mr Samuel asking the Premier whether it is true that the Agent-General has been appointed trustee tor the Midland Railway Company ; and if so what are the duties and emoluments of the office ? and do the Government consider it expodient, in the interests of the colony, that its Agent-Gonei'al should hold such an office ? The Premier replied that the office was purely honorary, and the_ Government had well considered the question bofore permittingthe Agent-General to accopb the trustee-

ship. They were assured 'that it could compromise the colony in no way. The trust deed had not yet arrived, bub when it did the Government would again consider tho matter, and if there was any doubb about the colony's being compromised, permission to the Agent-General would be withdrawn. This brought about a regular debate, in which it was plainly stated that the general impression was that the name of the AgontGenoral was wanted in connection with the scheme, so as seemingly to connect the colony with it. This feeling was heightened by the fact that die office was a purely honorary one. The speakers declared their opinion that it should be a recognised principle that our Agent-General should not be permitted to take a prominent part in any affairs of public companies. The Premier lias promised that when the trust deed is received, bhe Government's decision will be laid before Parliament for ibs approval, if ib is then sibbing, and at any rate members will be informed as to the course the Government intend to pursue