A Minister for Mines

Feilding Star, Volume VI, Issue 36, 6 September 1884, Page 2

A Minister for Mines

That such an appointment ought to be made has been long patent to every one in the. Colony who knows anything about mines' and miners, nnd it is gratifying to observe that the Stout Ministry propose to strengthen their hands by creating such a portfolio. But the gladness which is excited by the intelligence of this intention is somewhat alloyed by tin* rumour attached to it that Mr Richard .Seddon is likely to be the man. We he lieve that in his own way and " according to his lights " Mr Seddon is quite as

clever and honest as the average member of Parliament, but he does not possess the respect of the House, and in the second instance, he would not for one moment inspire confidence in the minds of residents in the mining districts. He knows perhaps lesi about mining than any other member of the House, although many years of his life have been spent on the gold fields. Yet, in his case as in that of Mr MircHELsoN— who turned out to be a less bad Minister of Public Works than was expected, and he gathered his education on gum fields which are a considerable " cut " below gold fields — Mr Seddon might develop hitherto undiscovered talents as an administrator of matters on which he was totally ignorant. But as Mr Skddon has not been one to hide his lights under a bushel in the past, it would be an astonishment to himself and his friends if the future should discover some brilliant qualities hitherto undisplayed.