THE HON. R. J. SEDDON.

Press, Volume XLVIII, Issue 7865, 16 May 1891, Page 5

THE HON. R. J. SEDDON.

Under the heading "Bear with him a little longer," the following letter appears in the "West Coast Times ":—" Sir,— I notice that the people of Greymouth and surrounding districts are greatly alarmed at the stoppage of the Midland Railway works. I beg leave to assure your readers that there is no need to be alarmed. I know the Minister of Mines, Works, and Defence thoroughly. I brought him out. I was present at his political birth. I rolled on his swaddling bands, rocked his political cradle, and taught him to lisp his first political speech. I made him believe in himself when few else did. He was an apt scholar. I trained him perfectly. Amongst other items I taught him was never to yield too easily. • " Once, I said, ' Dick, when you become a Cabinet Minister, let all know who is boss. Stop the public works; that will show your power. Start them again; that will show your generosity. Sack the civil servants to-day; take them on to-morrow. They will forget you sacked them, but remember that you employed them. Thus you will confound your enemies and consolidate your friends. " Your readers see how well my advice has been followed. Now, I say, don't be too hard on Dick. His bark is worse than hie bite. He is only rehearsing my lesson in public. In a day or two he will be graciously pleased to let the Midland Railway works proceed. He will re-engage all the civil servants, help the local bodies to collect the dog taxes, and not harass the bakers. He will also discover several sound and plausible reasons for not being too hard on the West Coast coal lessees. Finally, he will discover that the colony is prosperous, and that everyone ought to be happy and contented. " Don't growl, Mr Editor ; you would do the same yourself for £1000 per year, travelling allowances, and a banquet at all the railway stations. I could get men to do the lot for half the money and stop the Midland Railway works for ever, so reassure your readers that all will be right in time.—l am,—&c, "Dick's Old Trainer. " Hokitika, May 6th, 1891. " P.S.—I enclose my card. I have vacancies for two political pupils; references permitted to Ballance, MeKeaae and Ckdmaa.—B.Q.T."