WHAT NEXT?

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume III, Issue 140, 18 September 1863, Page 2

WHAT NEXT?

We observe that Major Whitmore has been called to the Legislative Council, with what object is not so apparent. It is the way with our Colonial Governments to heap appointment upon appointment on the fortunate object of their affection and regard. “ Unto him that hath shall he given” is the motto ; but it does not appear that the fitness of the person or the nature of bis already considerable duties is taken into the account.

We know very well that Major Whitmore, what with his Civil Commissionership and his command of the Defence Corps and of the Militia and Volunteers, has quite enough to do, in fact more than he can properly do, as it is, without being further required in the public service to absent himself from the seat of his more important duties to attend the Councils of the country. We protest against this additional burden being placed on that distinguished officers back, —firstly because it implies that his other appointments are not sufficient for him, and secondly because his absence for so long a time as to attend the sittings of the General Assembly will necessitate somebody acting as his 1 oeputy nere, ami thirdly because in the present state of matters here, if his services m a military point of view are of any value, they are more required in that capacity hero than as a more nonentity in Auckland. V luu on earth the Major lias ever done during lus life to merit such multitudinous offices does not at present appear in the chronicles of the land. Up to this date he has not succeeded in inspiring the inhabitants of these regions with any very great Aeneiation fur him. But then we must not forget that “ a prophet is not often appreciated in his own country/’ Wo cannot at present spare our gallant commandant, and we therefore must request that his His Excellency the Governor do for the present at least allow him to remain at peace amongst his admiring warriors. We fully anticipate that if the Major leaves.us for any length of time, those long-suffering martyrs in their country’s cause, they of the Defence Corps, will burst the feeble bonds of discipline by which they are restrained, and make it necessary to call out the militia on active service fur the purpose of reducing those rebellious saints to a state of subordination. \v e say nothing of the effect upon the Native mind of the withdrawal of the fiery Commissioner, of whom they stand in salutary awe. We should not be in the least surprised to hear of Major W.’s being called to command a gunboat or a battery of artillery at the very least, some of these days.