BEFORE THE MAST AND AFTER.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXI, Issue 490, 5 October 1909, Page 3

BEFORE THE MAST AND AFTER.

From port to portfolio, from trudging beside a bullock team to a seat iu Cabinet —such is the record of the Hon J. A. Millar, M-inisler of Marine, Railways, and Labour, according to his recent coufessiou at Auckland. Sailor, teamster, worker in a lemonade factory, goldminer, and other things he was before he reached the not altogether calm haven of politics. Twenty years ago he made State craft his sheet-anchor in life’s voyage, and the calls of other wilds no longer interested him. His experience and his final choice are similar to the records of other men. The cobbler who leaves his last tries to stick to politics, even if the “slicking” requires him to periodically halfsole and heel his political principles ; the carpenter who forsakes his bench for the platform and “pickings” is loth to go back to the shavings ami the sawdust. These are but truisms, and are not mentioned to discount Mr Millar. He has been a manly politician, retaining the not disagreeable bluff ness and heartiness of the seaman. His graduation to the .Ministry has been by steady stages ; it was no sudden evolution. Very many New Zealanders will hope that his casual mention of a retirement from public life “after five years” will prove to be a prophecy of no value. Mr Millar’s achievement is an excellent illustration of the rewards that await the old copy-book virtues of patience and perseverance. And he has brethren in the Cabinet, and brethren recently out of the Cabiuet, whose history shows that iu these young countries of Australasia opportunity is not the monopoly of any class. Any industrial road can lead to the Premiership.—Post.