The Daily News TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 1904. BAITING THE PREMIER.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVI, Issue 261, 8 November 1904, Page 2

The Daily News TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 1904. BAITING THE PREMIER.

The second reading of the High Commissioner Bill did not produce ail edifying- debate in. the House. The Premier at the outset asked members to approach the subject tree from bias, and ajpart altogether from personal feeling. Mr Suddon went on to gave plain, sensible reasons why the Agent - Generalship should he merged into the more pretentious oflice. He pointed out that the changed conditions of the colony warranted Parliament in placing its representative upon a footing oquul to that of other self-governing States. "It had been said," continued the Premier, " that the High Commissiionership would be a ldnd of ambassadorial position—a sort of l'oo-Bah." That, however, was far from his desire, for the man who accepted the position would be one of the bardest»workod me* who had ever represented the colony. He would also he expected to attend the various functions, dinners, etc., where he would come in contact with the leading men of tJie Mother Country and ot'her nations', and so keep our colony m the forefront. Such a commissioner, true to his task, would represent ua as we were, and also make known what our aspirations and ideals really were. A good deal of work of a diplomatic nature would fall on the shoulders of the commissioner, and although he would not rank with the ambassadors of any of the nations, at the same {line, being the High Commissioner of a self-govern-ing colony, and from his contact with the Colonial Office, there was any amount of diplomatic service required, which such a commissioner could perform with advantage to the colony. Mr Seddon refeived to the creation of an Imperial Council, but would not approve of t-ho High Commissioner being a member thereof, because whoever represented the colony should be under the control and act under the advice of the Ministry of the day, and not practise aa a servant holding high office under the State. In respect to the Imperial Council, they must have as a representative one who for the time being emjoyed the confidence of the people, aii|d was in close touch with them. After some further remarks the Premier concluded by saying that personal reference had been maide in rejjand to the proposal contained in this bill, but, aa he had said before, ho believed he could do much more for the colony here than in the subordinate position to lie held by the High Commissioner." In .spite of the opening appeal of the Premier and liis •losing remarks some of Wie members, notably Mr T. E. Taylor, indulged in offensive and uncalled for remarks. The member for Christchurch i/uid

" the Premier's own supporters wished to the Loivl tliat lie would clear out. ' Another member said that it Mr Seddon welre appointed to the ollice, amd lie had been at Home the other <lay, :t would have been Hnpoß.slilljjlc .to keej) him out of Downing Street. " He would liave declared war." Another questioned not the Premier's ability for the office, but his political character. " They could not trust the right hon. gentleman." Such remarks as tnesc were, we think, in extremely had taste, and quite uncoiled for considering the attitude taken up by Mr Seddon from the first. The Premier'B dignified reply to these pinpneks irom the envious jxilHiciwns by whom he is surrounded was in stnkmg contrast to the tone adopted byh,verities. He said "he iid not think such hard words would have I,eon usod as had boon in the course of this debate. He was wire those who had nrade Uiese statements would, on reflecti(m> that thi>j had done a grave injustice to the high position sought' lo 1* cieatcd, and that they hurt done wiong also to him personally. The WOU d improve our position in- the »«&. x « nuTuSir^TZk ests of the country." As' wp T ready know, the'hi,, \otes to 24 sn that ti, i attacks on 'the Premier fail!™ ably, as hitherto they hnvo alwaj . g