The Evening Star THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 1872.

Evening Star, Issue 2997, 26 September 1872, Page 2

The Evening Star THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 1872.

The rumors that have been telegraphed from time to time from Wellington, that there would be a reconstruction of the Executive of Otago, were only what every one acquainted with the nature of their duties would expect. The chief surprise is, that Mr Reid himself did not resign, on accepting office under the General Government, if it be true, as indicated by our telegraphic notices, that he declined to do so. It does not appear that either the Provincial Secretary of Otago, or the three Superintendents of the Provinces of Auckland, Wellington, and Nelson, who now hold portfolios under Her Majesty, have any faith in the stability of the Ministry, or they would not have clung so tenaciously to the offices they hold, after such repeated requests to resign. With regard to the Superintendents, they are beyond the control of any power excepting that of the Governor, and however incompatible their duties as officers of the Crown may happen to be with those of chief citizens of Provinces, they can defy the Houses of Legislature, and even the people who elected them, should they call upon them to resign. But the case is very different with Mr Reid, and we are only surprised that he has not made the distinction. In his position as Minister of the Crown--’-one of the advisers of His Excellency—he occupies a position which is virtually higher than that of the Superintendent of the Province, and he cannot consistently bo at the same time the servant and the superior ot his Honor. No man can serve two masters,” has been said, on the highest authority, “ for either be will bate the one ami love the other, or else he will hold to the one and despise the other,” ami the wisdom and truthfulness of the manifest in every transaction in life. Inevitably personal feeling will creep in : divided allegiance is half rebellion. But the anomaly in this ease would be that Mr Reid would have to square his conduct to meet the demands of three —His Excellency, himself (as comptroller of Mr Macaudrew), and his Honor, Nor is it by any means unlikely that these would clash. We have no doubt Sir Reid would be quite as conscientious i» his conduct as any man could he expected to he under the circumstances; but we do not think be has evinced that delicacy of

feeling in the matter that one gentleman has a right to expect from another. He must have known that his acceptance of office placed the Superintendent in a very awkward position. Had his Honor and Mr Reid been at one in politics, the difficulty might have been lessened as between themselves, although the awkwardness would have remained of possible antagonism between the interests of the Province and the views of the Ministry when Mr Reid must have acted against the Province. But even the palliation of identity of political views does not exist. Mr Macandrew is a man of progress ; Mr Heid has identified himself with the obstructionists. Throughout the session they have been in opposition. It cannot, therefore, be for a moment imagined that they can be opposed to each other in general politics, and see eye to eye with each other in Provincial affairs which form part of those politics. Whatever personal respect we may have for Mr Reid, we do not think him more than human, and the profession of politics is not likely to improve any weaknesses or failings of temper that recollection of past struggles and defeat may evoke. Naturally, politicians are ambitious men, and one favorite move in the game of politics is not only to rise above competitors, but to pull them down and keep them down. Wc would, therefore, point out that even the most disinterested politician, placed in the same relation as Mr Reid stands or stood to the Superintendent as Provincial Secretary and Minister of Public Works, would hardly let slip the opportunity of thwarting his views when it could be done without compromising the positive duties of the office. And oven supposing that Mr Reid is above all such exhibitions of petty jealousy and triumph, which we would sincerely hope he is, he should have consulted his own dignity and have asserted it by placing himself beyond the reach of suspicion as to his motives. His clear duty to the Province, to the Government of which he is a member, and to his own reputation, was to resign Ids Provincial Secretaryship immediately on his acceptance of office. It would have placed hit ft beyond the reach of calumny, aud marked him as a high-minded politician, entitled to the respect of both supporters aud opponents. We regret he has not availed himself of the vantage ground he stood on. He has o O laid himself open to the charge of endeavoring to retain one office should the other fail him, and has placed the Superintendent in such a positon that he'must supersede him or fail in Ins duty to the Province, of which he is the head. Jt is possible that the opponents of Mr Macandeew piny ,en-' dcavor to turn public opinion agajijsfc him, and attribute to personal feeling the only course he can take consistently with his position as a Superintendent ; but we hardly think malevolence itself can blame him. When a clear duty lies before a man, and he neglects or refuses to fulfil it, there is only one way of dealing with him ; If lie will not do it willingly, he must be compelled tp do it; aud if any degradation follows, k® mpst reflect that he brought it upon himpejf The Provincial Council may not mdQi'sp his Honor’s appointments, but they cauupt condemn the action he has he has taken it.