A GOVERNMENT WHIP.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XII, Issue 253, 25 October 1877, Page 4

A GOVERNMENT WHIP.

As many of our readers may not be aware of the multifarious duties of a Government Whip, the following des r cription of them from the pen of the Editor of the Poverty Bay Standard, the well known " Snyder" may prov6 both interesting and amusing : — " A Government Whip is generally held to ba a political flunkey. So long as he is under engagement, he is required to be instantaneous at the beck and call] of Ministers. He is bound to do their bidding io season and out of season. By day or by nighfc. There most be no rest for the soles of his feet, and he must have no miud which he may call his own, A Government Whip is chosen for certain qualities he is found to possess. He is a sort of political detective. He has to discover whether a member of, fche House is for or against tbe Government. If against the Government the member must be coaxed. The member wili ask him whether he has a son he wpuld. like to get into the Customs, or the Stamp, or the Treasury department. Whether he (tbe Member) would like to be placed on the roll of Justices of the Peace. It is intended that if the member. sup* ports the Government he may be asked to hold a portfolio, or an application made by him for a Commissionerehip will be certainly entertained. A Government Whip must be able to stand with equanimity a snubbing. Sometimes the snubbing will come from j Ministers whom he is so faithfully serving. But he must be humble and subservient. He is not expected to black the boots of a Minister; but be must carry the box which holds a Minister's papers and official despatches. He must hunt up members who are wanted to give a vote, wherever they are to be sought out. Whether in an hotel, or billiard saloon, or a club, or in some establishment where it is wrong he should be found. Nevertheless he must do his work. Be must listen to the conversation of Opposition members when he thinks they do not know he is listening. What be hears he must make a note of and report 10 his masters. A member of the House would not be asked to become Whip if ha, could make an effective speech, or was good at a debute ; nor if his vote would carry as much weight as to bring others on bis side. Beiug found active on" *his feet, keen of the eur, aud uot particular with regard to promises be may make, but possessing no other qualities, be receives the appointment of Whip, which knowing, but not acknowledging his deficiencies, he gladly accept;. He looks for his reward, although it may yet be far off. If the Ministry are strong, and well assured of a im-jority upon any important measure, theu the Government Whip carries himself with arrogance to those opposed to them; for all men who are cringing and subservient to their superiors, are in their natures over-bearing and tyrannical in their ways fco those who they think can neither benefit nor harm them. When he is not snubbed by members, the Whip is chaffed and made fuu of. If opportunity allows, a Parliamentary paper is pinned to the skirt of his coat, and it is a long time hefore he discovers the cause of the general titter which he hears as he trots up to tbe Premier to tell him on which side Sra it hers witl vote, or that Turnabout means to pair off with old Shake-in-hie-shoes, He has nicknames frequeutly given to him. Sometimes he is termed the " Artful One," atothers the ** Dodger," or " Young Oil Cans," just as it may be. If Ministers continue in power until tlie close of Parliament the Government Whip will perhaps receive somy small appointment; but more often when he asks for a returu for the slavery ha has undergone, Ministers will tell him 'bat they know him not. Thafc they had always looked upon him as a free aud independent raeuilier who had ever lent his assistance the;**- from a fteling of pure pairiotisin il Miniates are oustei from office ilia Whip iz a being so insiguifieaut iu the ey**-- - of Parliamentary men that even the Parlittu;eutary messeajj-^ers turn up their noses instead of saluting him as thoy . pass him in the lobbies. Suoh we bave always understood to bo the man who gives bis consent to become the Government Mhip. When he returns home he tukes great paius to inform his wife and family that a Government Whip 13 rather superior to being a Premier or a Colonial Treasurer, Perhaps hia wife and family uon't knovv any better and believe in all be nsseris. We hi»ro omitted to mention iu its place that no man can ever hope to mnke a first-class Government Whip without he cau tell an outrageous fib without changing countenance or a winkiug of the eye."