Manawatu Herald. FRIDAY, MARCH 11, 1881. OUR NEW MINISTER.

Manawatu Herald, Volume III, Issue 55, 11 March 1881, Page 2

Manawatu Herald. FRIDAY, MARCH 11, 1881. OUR NEW MINISTER.

The vacancy in tho Ministry caused" by the resignation of Mr Bryce lias been filled "nn by the appointment of Mr Walter Johnston, M.H.R. for Manawatn, as Postmaster-General. Under ordinary circumstance., we should as a district feel flattered by j the appointment, but as Mv Johnston does not represent ns, but merely sits in our representative's place, we care very little. The appointment has been ostensibly made as an act of justice to the Wellington Provincial District, but really' as a sop to Wellington city, as Mr Johnston is virtually a third Wellington member. His vote on the 20 per ceut of laud fund question was ill direct opposition to the interests of Manawatu. It was in fact helping the towns at the cost of the counties. Mr Johnston will not be a success as a Minister, either in the House or out of it. Helms any amount of ability, but no energy, and the departments ho presided over will be governed literally and absolutely by the permanent heads. Upon that most important Wellington question — the West Coast railway — he is " unsound," for all his interests are on the East C >ast. He has taken almost no part in the agitation for the line. He never stirred a hand in favor of it till called on to do so by the people of Foxton, and it is we'l known he refused to join several deputations to the Government, but at last was shamed intp joining one. He is, however, a shrewd man, and if he is not above accepting advice, Aye would suggest that he should feather a nest either in Wellington or some other constituency, for he assuredly will never sit for Manawatu again. As a Minister he may be able to "work" some constituency influenced by a lively gratitude for favors to come, as well as for what he can give between this and next election. The Wei ington papers have clamored for Mr Johnston's elevation to the Ministry. In gaining their wish, they have weakened th-' prospects of the West Coast railway scheme.