THE Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR O'CLOCK P.M. Resurrexi. FRIDAY, MARCH 11, 1881.

Thames Star, Issue 3807, 11 March 1881, Page 2

THE Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR O'CLOCK P.M. Resurrexi. FRIDAY, MARCH 11, 1881.

Another iniquity has been added to the already long list of which the Hall Government has been guilty. The Ministry has been pleased to appoint Mr Walter Johnston, of Wellington, as Postmaster-General. From all accounts it would appear as though Mr Johnston had little to recommend him to the position, or few of those necessary abilities, without which the onerous and important duties pertaining to the office of Postmaster-General cannot be efficiently performed. Many people who are still smarting under the injustice done to Auckland members, will naturally enquire the reason why the most important city in the North Island has again been forgotten, and why the Government has again bestowed on the Empire City a valuable seat in the Cabinet ? The answer seems to be, that Mr Johnston although not being a political acquisition, makes up for the deficiency through the fact of being a wealthy man. He is, therefore, one whose interests are bound up in those of the monied community, and naturally leans to the advance of such interests. This, as will be seen, is, if any thing, a disqualification, inasmuch as a man who is wealthy cannot —we say advisedly cannot —attend to the interest of the middle and working classes—who, after all, are the nation —with that ardour and impartiality exhibited by a man who, not having lai-ge vested interests, does not have to consider them before considering what are the necessities of the people. Mr Johnston, however, is a firm adherent of the Hall Government, and the Government will through his appointment (being a Wellington members. In conclusion it may be said that in the selection of Mr Walter Johnston to the vacant seat, the Government have acted more in accordance with the political necessities of their party, than with the idea of conferring a real benefit on the Colony.