South Canterbury Times, WEDNESDAY, JULY 6, 1881.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2587, 6 July 1881, Page 2

South Canterbury Times, WEDNESDAY, JULY 6, 1881.

The Auckland members were once a happy family. Sixteen out of the eighteen members representing that Provincial District could have been relied upon to give a solid vote in support of Sir George Grey. But the desertion of Messrs Wood, Colbeck, Swanson and Harris sadly demoralised the party, and gave the Conservatives the upper hand. Mr John Sheehan, the Native Minister of the Grey Administration, did not stick true to his colors when out of office. “ Johnny,” as he is familiarly called, is a true colonial youth, in fact, some go so far as to say that there is a strong dash of the larrikin in him. At any rate, he never forgets the important interest of the individual oft times termed “ No. 1.” He is native born, but he is the last person in the colony who would sacrifice himself on the altar of his country. He is ever true to himself, but it does not follow that he “ cannot be false to any man.” No man ever entered the Colonial Parliament with brighter prospects. He had many advantages on his side. He is undoubtedly clever, and is the fortunate possessor of a temper which it is hard to ruffle. He can keep his head clear under the most trying circumstances. He has a ready wit and a readier tongue, and if he had been endowed with steadfast principles would have made his mark in New Zealand. As it is, he is intensely distrusted by both parties. He some eighteen months ago allied himself with the land jobbers of the North, and rumor saith that Mr John Sheehan secured a goodly share of what he would term the “ rhino ” for his services in connection with the Patetere job. He was denounced by Sir George George Grey, and everyone thought there was a complete severance between them. But Mr Sheehan is hard to shake off. In addressing his constituents at the Thames the other day, he professed allegiance to his former leader. It may be assumed that he thought that was the wisest thing he could do for his own interests. Mr Sheehan is not yet desirous of quitting Parliament, and if he does not profess Liberalism there is not the

ghost of a chance of his again being returned. He is intensely distrusted, and deservedly so. No lip professions will wipe out the recollection of the Patetere swindle. The Liberal party will have none of him.

We were led to the above remarks by a discussion which took place the other night on the Regulations of Elections Bill when Mr Sheehan’s name slipped into the debate. Mr Swanson is a great friend of the ex-Native Minister, and in attacking Sir George Grey said ; —“ What would the Grey Government have been without Mr Sheehan ? Without him they could not muster brains enough to keep their seats on the Treasury Benches a single day.” That certainly was rather rough on the great Pro-Consul, and Mr Macandrew, the man who ruled over the largest ‘province of New Zealand for many a long year. Mr Robert Stout, too, was a member of the Grey Administration, and he certainly does not lack brain power. Yerily Mr Sheehan must be a prodigy in the eyes of the old Auckland “ carpenter,” as a correspondent calls Mr Swanson, and in justice to him it must be said that he is not ashamed of having risen from the ranks. We can hardly think that in his untimely praise Mr Swanson did a kindness to the junior member for the Thames. It put the Grey party on their defence, and the ex-Native Minister did not emerge well from the argument. Mr Speight, who has taken the place of Mr Rees as Sir George Grey’s lieutenant, came to the rescue. He pointed out with perfect truth that it was the conduct of Native affairs which brought the Grey Government to grief. Mr Sheehan, no doubt, possesses more than an average share of brains, but other qualities are required in the management of public affairs. When he took office the Native Department was far from clean. When he left it, it was a sink of iniquity. Under former Administrations a sense of outward decency was observed. Under Mr Sheehan’s regime, the most “ crooked ” things were done in a flagrant and open manner. However Mr Sheehan accomplished some good, he brought matters to a head. Henceforth, light must permeate the doings of the Native Department. Whatever may be said regarding the narrowness of Mr Sheehan’e successor, no one can accuse Mr Bryce of jobbery or corruption.

There has been considerable talk about the attitude which Mr Sheehan would assume during the present session. But the most important point was overlooked, and that was the attitude which his former colleagues would assume towards him. The recent discussion has cleared up the latter point. The junior member for the Thames was anxious to reenter the Liberal fold, but the door has been slammed in his face. Patetere was enough to wreck the reputation of a better man than Mr Sheehan. However, he is plastic and versatile, and can adapt himself to almost any circumstances. He has delayed entering upon his Legislative duties up to the present. There are a few questions to be asked about Patetere, and Mr Sheehan is not anxious to face them. At least,he thinks that delay will do no harm. It was the same in a previous session,when Mr Bryce made the West Coast disclosures. Then, although Mr Sheehan’s name was daily dragged through the mire, he kept away from Parliament as long as he well could. At that time, too, there were others involved ready to defend him. By the Patetere transaction he has cut himself off from all his former friends, and it is not likely that the supporters of the present Government will enter the breach to do service for one whom they regard with the utmost aversion, although he has done dirty work for that party in the North who are identified with Mr Whitaker, the Attorney-General of the Hall Administration. Altogether, Mr Sheehan is in an unenviable position. His retirement from public life would not be regretted.