The Daily Telegraph. TUESDAY, DECEMBER 30, 1884.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 4192, 30 December 1884, Page 2

The Daily Telegraph. TUESDAY, DECEMBER 30, 1884.

Tub name of Mr Larnach, we hear from Wellington, is freely metioned as likely to join the Government. Nothing definite, we are told, has jot boon decided, but negotiations are proceeding with a view to that gentleman joining the Cabinet. The name of Mr Larnach is not popular in the colony. It is associated with what very many regard as a ruse. The Lyttelton Times recalls to mind the manner in which he became a Minister hy virtue of the votes of men whom his first act was to throw over and disappoint. The manoeuvre by which Mr Larnach and Sir George Grey contrived to outwit the Middle Party while using it was not altogether a creditable piece of tactics. By itself, we readily admit, it would be a very feeble objection to Mr Larnach's admission to office to-day. But he has, in the opinion of the Lvttelton Times failed to : show special qualifications for a position in i ft MlnMvy, th legitimate bout of whoso i

friends is that it is a strong one. As Minister, Mr Larnach did two things. He went to England to raise a loan, and certainly did his work thoroughly well ; and he got for himself a C.M.G.-ship. Since 1379 he has been as a politician, now an absentee, now a silent member. On the platform he has propounded one original sugggestion — that public retrenchment should begin by economies in the Eduoation Department. If anything were required to disprove Mr Larnach'stitletoLiberal statesmanship, this proposal ought to bo snflieient. AAlien, in August last, the second Stout-A r ogel Cabinet was formed, Mr Larnach was, we believe, offered a place iv it. But representations were made, which could not bo disregarded, that tho appointment would be too unacceptable to the House to be ventured upon. Mr Larnach showed excellent sense in not persisting in a course which might, havo led liis friends to ruin as well as himself. He might be invited to show similar good sense now were it supposed he was still open to advice on the point. But it would appear that he and his friends have made up their minds to risk any unpopularity that his appointment may cause. AYe fancy they have hardly reckoned the chances correctly. The Times goes on to say, wo fear that Mr Larnach'a appointment will alienate not a few of the most valuable of the Ministry's supporters. Ho will please nobody greatly except a ] comparatively small knot of persons in the town of Dunedin. Wo do not think his appointment will be generally popular even in Otago: we are sure it will find little favor elsewhere — except among those who wish the Ministry ill. In popular estimation, Mr Larnach represents nothing except tho Waimca Plains Kailway. If the present Ministry has a weak spot, it is to bo found in its District Railways policy. This weak place Mr Larnach will certainly not tend to hide from view. Those who desire, above all things, that tho Colony's Government should not bo at the bock of any powerful interest, will see the Cabinet's welcome to Mr Larnach with uncomfortable forebodings. For ourselves, we believe in the present Government because of its policy quite as much because of its personnel, excellent as the latter has, on the whole, hitherto been. So long as the policy appears to us the right one for New Zealand we shall go on advocating it. But wo confess that our support to those who framed and aro carrying out this policy would be all the heartier if we had not to associate them with Mr Larnach. Though one mistaken appointment cannot spoil an excellent Cabinet, we may bo permitted to regret the mistake nevertheless.