THE SHIP OF STATE.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIV, Issue 5707, 15 July 1879, Page 3

THE SHIP OF STATE.

TO THE EDITOR OE THE NETT ZEALAND TIMES. Sib, —Some time ago, while reading Tennyson’s “Life of Macaulay,” I came across the following lines by Praed, and as it seemed to me that with merely the change of a few surnames they would accurately apply to the Ministry of the present day, I commit them to your tender mercy, believing, as I do, that they are of a higher order than those ■ by “Paddy Murphy" : Sure none should better know how sweet The tenure of official seat Than one who every session buys At such high rate the gaudy prize ; One who f r this so long has borne The scowl of universal scorn, Has seen distrust in every look, Has heard in every voice rebuke. Exulting yet as home he goes, ' From sneering friends and pitying foes That shun him, loathe him. if they will, Be keeps the lead and salary still. And, truth to say. it must be pleasant To bo a Minister at present— To make believe to guide the realm Without a hand upon the helm, And wonder what, with such a crow, A pilot e’er should find to do ; To hold what people are content To fancy Is the Government, And touch extremely little of it Except the credit and the profit. When Ormond presses, Gisborne poses To bid gay Bunny count the noses. And leave the Cabinet's defence To Sheehan’s wit and Fisher's sense ; To hear demands of explanation On To Whiti, Tapanui, trade, taxation. And answer that perhaps they’ll try To give an answer by-and-bye : To serve the Church and save the Crown By.trying hard to pull them down; To promise, pause, prepare, postpone, And end by letting things alone. In short, to earn the people’s pay By doing nothing every day. These tasks, these joys, the Fates assign. To well place Greys in seventy-nine. —I am, &c, Hebebden.