THE Temuka Leader. THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 1891. THE NEW AGENT-GENERAL.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2255, 17 September 1891, Page 2

THE Temuka Leader. THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 1891. THE NEW AGENT-GENERAL.

We have to congratulate the Government on the selection they have made, in appointing Mr Perceval to the position of Agent-General. They could not have made a better selection, Mr Rolleston said the Government departed from the usual course in making the appointment, as it was customary to select an older politican having the rank of a Cabinet Minister. We are glad to find that the Government has departed from the beaten track, not only in this matter, but in many other respects, during the short timetheyhavebeenin office. Following in the old ruts has not produced such results as would inspire us with any high degree of veneration, for those who have hitherto muddled along in them. They reduced a colony fruitful in everything that could render life happy, to a condition of deep depression, and the more they legislated the worse they made things. Changes in whatever form they may be made, cannot, therefore, have any great terror for us. We have learned to grow sick of the old ways, and if the new ways do not yield better results they cannot produce much worse. With regard to the Agent-General-Ship we do not think the Government could have made a better selection. Mr Perceval was elected to Parliament in 1887, and very soon came to the front. He is not by any means a great debater, or indeed a ready speaker, biit he is a man of great tact and ability, moderate in all his views, and at the same time thoroughly in sympathy with democratic ideas. There is no man in Parliament more popular for the reason, that he is extremely pleasant and agreeable in his manners, together, with being consistently loyal to his party. He has been the most trusted and trustworthy party man, without ever having given offence to his opponents. We have reason to believe that when the present Ministry was formed Mr Percival could have been included in it if he desired it, but he certainly did not and would not have accepted the position. With regard to the chairman-ship of Committees, he would not have accepted it only that he found it necessary to do so to extricate the Government out of a very awkward position. The emoluments of office have no allurements for Mr Perceval, He is a very wealthy man, and has married into a very wealthy family, and therefore the remuneration attached to these offices is not sufficient to induce him to undertake the duties and responsibilities attached to the public service. As regards the Agent-General-Ship, we are at his having accepted it, and we have reason to bfffieve that he he did not do so without pressure being brought to bear upon him. The position, however, is one which might well be covetted by anybody. It is undoubtedly the highest position in the gift of the Government, beside the possibility of knighthood being attached to it, and the fascination of living in ' London and mixing in the highest circles. The salary of £1250 a year is nothing. We do not believe that, it is at all sufficient considering the position, and the style in which the

Agent-General must live. But Mr Percival is rich, and that need not trouble him, so he possesses every attribute necessary for a successful Agent-General. Fie is undoubtedly an able, clearheaded and capable administrator; his social standing, and respectability are unassailable even by the tongue of calumny; he is moderate, calm and dispassionate in all his actions, and a thorough gentleman in every sense of the word. He has therefore every qualification desirable in an AgentGeneral, but he has still another virtue, which will appeal to the patriotic sentiments, not only of young New Zealanders, but of their fathers and mothers. He is a young Neiv Zealander, bred, born, and reai’ed in the colony, and one, too, of whom any countty might be prond. In personal appearance, he is tall, robust, and handsome, and as a specimen of native-born New Zealanders he will be a credit to the colony at large. He is only about thirty-five years of age, and is therefore the youngest AgentGeneral who has ever been appointed, and the first New Zealand-born native who has ever filled the position. Let us hope he is not the New Zealand native who is destined to sketch the ruins of St. Paul. He is everything we could wish in an Agent-General, and is to boot a thorough Liberal. He is one of those who was elected on the labor ticket, and in consequence of this his appointment will no doubt be accepted with reluctance in certain quarters, but that does not count for much. We heartily congratulate him on his appointment, and wish him success in his new sphere.