HON H. D. BELL.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 10713, 15 November 1912, Page 4

HON H. D. BELL.

One of thp most satisfactory features of the recent Parliamentary session was the Hon Mr Bell's leadership of the Legislative Council (says tho Oamat'ii Mail, of the Hon Ceo. Jones, M.L.0., is the principal proprietor). "Having succeeded Sir John Findlav, he might have suffered •by comparison with a mm who, endowed with unusual ability, with such a gift of oratory as to command ready attention and admiration, and practised in the ways of the Council, had won !his spurs easily as an ideal leader. But, though Mr Bell began his, duties timidly, and, believing himself to be amongst enemies, declared that he felt isolated, lie quickly realised that his position was more fortunate, and developed a faculty of advocacy in the Council which, whatever may have been the tendency of the Council towards 'him at the outset, won the approval of all. Amongst the hurly-burly of our political life, with its hard knocks and' numerous disappointments—its constant friction, and its disinclination to render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar's —it is pleasant to contemplate ! the good relations which have existed between the representative of the Massev Government in the Council I and the Council, the great majority of whoso members are the appointees of administrators who were Mr Mas- ' soy's political enemies."