South Canterbury Times, WEDNESDAY, MARCH, 9 1881.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2486, 9 March 1881, Page 2

South Canterbury Times, WEDNESDAY, MARCH, 9 1881.

It is satisfactory to find in a Colony where, at present, owing presumably to unavoidable circumstances a considerable number of highly respectable persons are going wrong, there is a party “ by the name of Johnstone ” who is treading the path that leads to honor, distinction, and political emoluments. The Ministerial mantle that has so long been suspended over the shoulders of expectant M.H.R.’s has fallen, not as some anticipated, on the Member for Geraldine, hut on the Member for Manawatu, Mr Walter Johnston. But yesterday Mr Johnston was an obscure unit of the House ; to-day he is the lion, the PostmasterGeneral. We have no doubt the Government have good reason for the selection and that Mr Johnston has been carefully weighed in the balance before he was presented with his portfolio. So far as New Zealand politics are concerned Mr Johnston belongs to the great unknown. He has been dragged from his obscurity, apparently, because like all first offenders there is nothing known against him. In those times when old political hacks are regularly trotted out as Parliamentary renegades, political virtue, like a genuine diamond, shines to greatest advantage in the dark. Hence we infer that next to belonging to the provincial district of Wellington, Mr Johnston’s peculiar qualification for the coveted portfolio is that he is a dark horse of whom nobody seems to know anything. The new Minister, owing to the graceful obscurity of his movements, is in the condition of an undeveloped photograph. Possibly the portfolio with which, as the reward of his harmlessness in the past, he has been presented, will operate like a developing solution, and bring him out in his true colors. It may also be anticipated that the appointment will help to conciliate the hungry people of Wellington and its environs. The presence in the Cabinet of a Wellington Minister—lf it does not excite the jealousy and cupidity of Otago and Auckland—will help to maintain the balance of power. It may also have a slight influence on the Redistribution of (Seats Bill, although it is not very likely to assist in bringing the representation of the people into harmony with the population. In other respects, unless Mr Johnston proves a more active member of the Ministry than he has been of House, he will possibly live to be regarded as a distinguished cypher. This, however, is mere speculation. We must wait and watch the result of the developing solution. If there is any of that ingredient which Americans call “ Vim ” in Mr Johnston, the addition of the new handle to Ids name and the responsibility of inaugurating a penny stamp banking system, should bring it to the front. If, on the other hand, Mr Johnston, in his new capacity, betrays the staying qualities of a fossil he will not have to travel far to find congenial company.