Mataura Ensign GORE, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 14th, 1883. THE NEW MINISTER OF WORKS.

Mataura Ensign, Volume 6, Issue 313, 14 December 1883, Page 2

Mataura Ensign GORE, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 14th, 1883. THE NEW MINISTER OF WORKS.

Ouk readers will well remember the surprise that was felt upon the appointment of Mr Mitchelson to the portfolio of Public Works. The . jeeriag and sneering of tho Southern ( press was at least amusing. No end . of fun was poked at the idea of a Minister being sucklod after his ap- ( pointment, as this gentleman was fora j few weeks before he was sworn in. • But now that he has begun business there is evidently a disposition to treat him with more respect. It was absolutely necessary after such antecedents as his that Mr Mitchelsox , should make a tour of the colony in ! order that he might not think Auckland was New Zealand. It was also necessary that he should meet as many of the officials and public men as possible, and see for himself the works with which he will have to do. Tho smattering of knowledge to be got in a hast 7 visit to a place is certainly not of much value in enabling a man to decide an important question, but it at least helps him to understand the explanations and arguments of others much better than plans and verbal dte•riptions could. In his tour Mr Mitchelson has found ample compensation for any blind abuse he may have received. He finds that people are civil to a man who may have something t» give, and that even the Press will j Lot attack him while any hope remains j that he will befriend the^districb which it represents. We, however, have not •nried him his trip with " all his blushing, honors fresh upon him." Uneasy lies the head that has a portfolio for a pillow. If DatsTß had lived in modern times he might have placed in his Purgatorio a few specimens of deputation torture. To receive fifteen or twenty companies of citizens in succession, each swelling with importance, each desperately in earnest, each painfally eloquent and long winded, and each pretending to think the Minister h»s power to grant its request, and that his refusal will indicate indifference or illwill, must bp one of the most trying ordeals ever invented. A man must be somewhat of a hero, and of a martyr, too, who can show a respectful interest in all the grievances of the suburbs of Pcdjington, and who can confront the solemn ga&e of portly, bald-headed men as they assure him that the country will, be ruinedif br doesn't put a culvej£ p«^seditch i&at-Ciraiaß tbeir'calf pens. Unless he happens to possess the memoiy of a C.<EBABj it U impossible that he can have any intelligent idea at all of the multifarious matters laid before him in rapid succession without the interval of a moment to help digestion. Still _ fcho full force and joint effect of all is to impress upon the Minister the idea that the majesty of the people is not to be trifled with, and thnt they feel deeply the importance of their local works and won't support a Q-overn-ment that doesn't. We are struck with the manly and honest replies of Mr Mitchelson. He does not say to all comers that he will " make a note of it,", or that he will " make enquiries," or that he has no doubt the district deserves justice and ought to get it," or that " the question w»s worthy of all the consideration its importance deserved, that it would be discunsed in full Cabinet when a suitable time came, and would be settled when a final decision was arrived at." M? Mitchelson has not made rash promises or excited delusive hopes by his replies. He has stated the case from a colonial standpoint,has asked where the money was to come from, has said the matter was new to him and he must consult his colleagues, or he has said he would see the thing done. This is honest, and will not fail to.be widely appreciated. The fear of making an enemy by telling the truth is the surest way of losing the respect of thousands.