THE GLOBE. SATURDAY, MARCH 12, 1881. THE NEW MINISTER.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2198, 12 March 1881, Page 2

THE GLOBE. SATURDAY, MARCH 12, 1881. THE NEW MINISTER.

Fob the last few days no man has been so much the theme of general conversation as Walter Woods Johnston. His appointment has been treated from all points of view, according to the tone and politics of the paper. Our contemporary the “ Lyttelton Times ” is particularly gleeful, not because it has any particular objection to Mr. Johnston, but because the “ Press ” newspaper has not backed up the appointment in the thorough-paced fashion that the “Lyttelton Times” itself was wont to back up all actions emanating from its idol Sir Geergo Grey. Our Gloucester street friend is surprised at the display of candor exhibited by the ‘‘ Press,” for that quality is so alien to itself that it cannot quite make its possessor out, and it has jumped to the conclusion that the long hoped for signs of weakness in the Ministerial party are beginning to display themselves. We may, however, at once undeceive the “ Lyttelton Times.” The best friends of a party are not those who flatter it in season and out of season, but those who fearlessly point out what they consider to bo for the good of the interests concerned. But in truth all that has been said of the new Minister has something of the spice of prophecy about it, for nothing definite has been ascertained for certain by the outside world as to his qualifications. It seems almost a question of whether ho will rise to the occasion or otherwise. As yet ho is only known as a man of good ability, and of considerable business capacity. He has made one or two speeches in the House, terse and to the point. But the general impres-

sion is that he is somewhat phlegmatic and not over-industrious. Ho has certainly not that initiative industry which pushes some men to ihe front in spite of opposition, but none the less may it turn out that he is the right man in the right place. Ho certainly has one advantage that, on most points, he starts with a clean sheet. That one point is of course his view on the educational question, and it is on this subject that detractors of the new Minister declare that they see danger looming in the distance. We can, however, hardly think that such an astute politician as Mr. Hall, would have admitted a gentleman into his Cabinet without coming to some perfect understanding with him on this point. The Premier knows well enough the importance of this question, and how it is very possible that a hard battle will yet have to bo fought before the donominationalists are taught that their cause is hopeless. A politician in office is very different to one out of office. Expediency must guide the former, but the latter is trammelled by nothing. Mr. Johnston’s views on education may be found to bo not altogether so intractable as many now imagine. At all events he would be little likely to split up the Cabinet on such a question. It would be imputing to him nothing less than treachery to think of such a thing as possible. Ho knows well enough that the Government are bound to stand by the present educational system to the death, and to enter the Cabinet, knowing this and determined on the first opportunity to turn round on his confreres, would be immoral in the highest degree. But Mr. Johnston has hitherto been credited with being an honourable man, and we cannot think that any such intention would, far an instant, be harbored by him. It may, indeed, broadly be stated that Mr. Johnston’s appointment is the result of that spirit of provincialism which rules to such an extent our political life. Another choice would probably have been made, had the Premier considered himself free to choose whom he would, irrespective of the district the gentleman chosen might represent. We cannot say we think Mr. Hall wise in paying such attention to what may bo termed a disastrous superstition. Most thinking man are beginning to laugh at the idea that the localities from which Ministers must be chosen must be arranged symetrically over the surface of the country, and Mr. Hall would possibly not have found himself unsupported if he had dared to break through the old order of affairs. But although Mr. Johnston has been forced to the front by circumstances over which ho may fairly bo said to have no control, yet we are not prepared to say that his appointment is an utter mistake. The Premier has doubtless gauged his man, and knows that there is stuff in him. Mr. Johnston has hitherto been in the dreamy chrysalis state as far as regards political life, Mr. Hall may see promise of the development of a Ministerial butterfly, active, persuasive and indefatigable.

A SORE POINT.

There is one point on which the Otago people are horribly susceptible. You may rail at their bleak weather, at their ardent provincialism, and the numerous shortcomings that are common to all communities, and they will carelessly shrug their shoulder, but touch on their harbour and they are in arms at once. Their port is their one ewe lamb, for which they are prepared to sacrifice everything; their gigantic diamond, to keep which they are ready to sell the whole of their provincial jewels. An incident has just occurred which has raised the wrath of the Dunedin press to no inconsiderable extent. The barquentine Jasper was unfortunate enough in crossing the bar to graze it, but she received no damage. However, the details of the occurrence were laid before the Harbor Board, tho Harbor Master’s report was accepted, and the pilot in charge of the ship was mildly reproved. But say the papers, what is the possible use of reporting all such cases. They infer that every time such reports are sent in a nail is driven into the coffin of the harbor’s reputation. People outside do not care to, and have not tho opportunity to, analiso the particulars of every case, and hence a false impression as to the safety of the harbor gets abroad. It was suggested, at the Board’s meeting, that the Harbor Master might bring such trifling matters under the notice of the Chairman, but that public reports in such cases should be done away with. We cannot hut sympathise with our Southern neighbours in this affair. Their commercial standing depends a great deal on tho safety of their harbor, and they are naturally anxious that false impressions should not get abroad. But it is extremely easy to run to extremes. Once let the outside world believe that there is a spirit existent in the Board to hush enquiry in cases where vessels ground on or touch the bar and the Dunedin people will find that there is a worse evil than a too groat frankness.