PROFESSIONAL POLITICIANS.

Globe, Volume II, Issue 133, 3 November 1874, Page 2

PROFESSIONAL POLITICIANS.

To the Editor of the Qlohe. Sir,—lt is not often that I trouble Christchurch with a visit, but I had occasion to do so last Saturday. I observed amongst other things new to me that a fresh evening paper had been started, viz, the Globe, and curious to know what sort of information it contained, I purchased a copy, and being rather amused with the correspondence column I obtained some back copies. The letters of the Moderate Provincialists I rather enjoy, because I happen to be a Moderate Provincialist myself. They inform the public that they remember when our Supcriuti ndjut was auxious to have given up that

title, so that he, or some one else might occupy a more useful position, instead of being, as he considered he was, a mere figurehead, one who was doing nothing but cavilling with his Government for want of some better work to do. But, sir, those days were in that respect very much like these, as the professional politicians had the upper hand, and compelled him to go on playing at Government on a magnificent scale. So far as my understanding goes, what Mr Rolleston wanted some years ago was to reduce our Provincial Council to a kind of Central Road Board, with a chairman and a sufficient staff to carry out the direction of that Board. I think, sir, that responsible Government as carried out in Canterbury is simply a ridiculous farce, and for this reason, that they take no responsibility whatsoever on themselves for fear of being turned out of office. I hear that there is a society about to be called " The Professional PoliticianslProtectivc Society." All I can say ia Sir Godforbidthatanyofitsmembersshouldba returned to either a Road Board or the Provincial Council. I am told Sir that the other day we ran a very near risk of having a separate political head over the Survey Department, owing, I understand to a tantrum of our Secretary for Public Works. Suppose sir that a professional politician with an array of clerks, cadets, messengers, &c, had taken charge of that department, what on earth would have become of our land fund ? Such a catastrope was avoided, as the Provincial Secretary came to the rescue and took upon himself the entire control of that department. I heard also (and I can assure you Sir there is nothing like coming to town for news), that your contemporary the Lytteltoii Times has got the announcement of the "Professional! Politician Association," in type, but I domost earnestly hope and trust Sir, that some; good Samaritan will make what the printers call "pye" of it, for I have a great dread of a. Professional politician on account of his Confusion and grumble Disputing and jumble He's Almighty not humble. He's always— Tinkering and mendingj Twisting and bending, Then tinkering not mending again. He's— Fasting and praying For a billet, and saying That brewing's not praying. He's— Howling and blowing, Fighting and crowing, But he's losing, not knowing".. Then again, sir, he must be always attended by a large staff of poorly-paid clerks and messengers galore. He oscillates between the Provincial and the General Government,, not caring much which he serves so long aa he is well paid. Men like these are not true patriots, and do not deserve the confidenceof any constituency. In conclusion, I mustbeg of you as a favor that you will send by the last train a few copies of the Globe upto my district. By doing so I can assureyou, sir, that you will oblige many others' who like myself claim the title of A FARMER. Rangiora, October 26.