Tuapeka Times. AND GOLDFIELDS REPORTER AND ADVERTISER. WEDNESDAY, MAY 13, 1874. "MEASURES, NOT MEN."

Tuapeka Times, Volume VII, Issue 355, 13 May 1874, Page 2

Tuapeka Times. AND GOLDFIELDS REPORTER AND ADVERTISER. WEDNESDAY, MAY 13, 1874. "MEASURES, NOT MEN."

"And the lion shall lie down with the lamb, and a little child shall lead them." Surely the millenium of Provincial politics has arrived : Reid and Turnbull in the same bed together. In this case, it might not be easy to say which is the linn and which the lamb ; but the " little child " that has led them to their peaceful fold has been the worthy member of Oamaru, the genial Dr. Webster, who had the pleasant task of doing the suwoiter in modo for the late Government. Well, we may rejoice at the result. After the enunciation of policy given by Mr.'Reid, we know his colors ; and as an open is always better than a secret foe, we are glad to see him rank himself openly on the side to which he has hitherto secretly belonged, and boldly avow the policy of the sale of land in large blocks, as his own. In addition to the avowed policy of continuing to sell what Mr. Reid may please to consider purely pastoral iand in lar^e blocks, there is j another significant indication of the policy of the present Government, which it may be well not to overlook. It is wellknown that the old identities are still intolerant of the new-comers who made their fortunes for them, and anxious to prevent them having their legitimate influence in the Government of the Province. It is well-known with what zeal Mr. Reid rushed from the Taieri in the year 1865 to oust the Brodie-Cargill Government from office* because there was the • unwonted • and; to his mind, dangerous combination ojE two goldfields men in the Executive, In the late Government, there was only one ; but he was an energetic . clear-headed man who would insist upon action, and upon carrying out the public wtorks of the Province in such a way as would open up communication with the interior of the Province. This would not suit the party who, after buying the most valuable land at ten shillings an acre, have been for years dr.uving subsidies from the revenue, both Provincial and General, to make roads to their own farms. They must have no goldtield's member holding an official position in the Government, but some non-official person whom they would only call upon for a.n opinion, when they differed among themselves. It would be dangerous to that narrow-minded cliquocracy to let any share of power pass to these strangers — the miners ; and no doubt we shall, if the Reid-Turnbull clique retain office, see some such miserable apology for a goldfields non-official minister as will entirely suit the wishes

of the present Government. A few remarks as to the disingenous part Mr. Turnbull has played in the affair. It appears that the work of the Treasury and the' Provincial Secretary-ship was much too great an infringement upon his private engagements. He says that he has lost money by attending to it. Now, no such self-sacrifice is exacted even in Otago from politicians. If he has done so much for the country, cannot he stand aside and let somebody else do a little 1 It is not desired that he should ruin himself in the public service, especially when it is considered that the value of his services to himself will be of immeasurably greater value, than his services to the public. If he felt the burden of office too great, could he not have handed over part of the change to his more energetic and liberal-minded colleague ? Mr. Bastings was not so over-burdened with private business, or the duties of his department, but what he could have relieved Mr. Turnbull from some of his more onerous duties, aud doubtless with no loss, but probably a great gain to the public service. But what does he do 1 He makes this an excuse for getting rid of Mr. Bastings ; and then aneaks back to office with Mr. Reid, having possibly come to some understanding as to what large blocks of land his friends may desire to purchase during the ensuing twelve months. What are the grounds of objection to Mr. Bastings 1 If there are any, let them be boldly stated. If they are of a tangible character, it is a matter of public duty to state them, and have the fullest enquiry ; any other course is an evasion of duty, and not only mean and contemptible in itself, but a gross injustice to Mr. Bastings and others whom he represents. There is said to be honor amongst thieves, but, judging from Mr. Turn-bull's conduct, it appears the line is drawn there, and does not include the High-street clique of politicians. Mr. Reid may perhaps be congratulated on his elevation in the social scale. He is no longer a clodocrat, and the " Evening Star " will waste no more invectives on him. He has been taken by the hand by High-street, and henceforth will be an authority on greasy wool and the price of mouey. He has, at last, obtained his apotheosis — a result which we earnestly hope may have the effect of finally removing him from the sphere of mundane politics, and permitting him to contemplate undisturbad the effects upon the progress of Otago of his admiuistartion of its waste lands.