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New Zealand Mail, Issue 662, 31 October 1884, Page 19

Sir Julius "Vogel’s Civil List Act Amendment Bill is introduced in accordance with an intimation given in the Financial Statement, namely, that the mineral resources of the country would be made “ the subject of the special attention of a Minister.” The Bill provides that “ In addition to the sum granted by *The Civil List Act 1863 Amendment Act, 1873,’ towards defraying the expenses mentioned in the second schedule to that Act, there shall be payable to Her Majesty for and during the year ending the thirty-first day of March next, and every year thereafter, out of the Consolidated Fund, the sum of one thousand two hundred and fifty pounds.” The sum is for the salary of a member of the Executive Council, in addition to the six members already provided for, and he is to hold the office of Minister of Mines. We were in hopes that this threatened piece of extravagance would be forgotten amongst the larger schemes constantly being placed before Parliament. £1250 is not much to pay for the services of a Minister who has his hands full of work, and who does it well. Nevertheless it is an item worth, consideration, and a Minister in receipt of an annual salary of £1250 represents State funds to the capital value of about £31,000. We fully recognise the importance of the mining industry, and believe that under judicious management it will before many years assume gigantic proportions. Of course our remarks are not intended to apply only to the mining carried on on the gold-fields. However valuable the latter may be, the coal measures will rapidly surpass them as a source of wealth; and then there are numerous other minerals from which great things may be reasonably expected. At the present day there may be almost enough work to keep a Minister of Mines fully employed, and if so we do not object to increased prominence being given to the Portfolio. But it does not follow that Sir Julius "Vogel’s Bill is necessary. Some time age we suggested that by a better arrangement than no.v prevails, the present number of salaried Ministers might very comfortably get through all the business. What does the Minister of Justice do in return for his salary ? We are not alluding specially to the gentleman who at present fills the office, and for whom everyone who knows him must have a high regard. But surely, now that the newness of the position has worn off, he must find the time hang rather heavily on his hands. If he were a mischief-maker or a busybody we should dread the vast periods of vacancy which he might devote to evil in some shape or other. His share of work as the head of the Department might be disposed of in, we were going to say, half an hour a day, but on second thoughts, we shall limit his exertions to half an hour, or at the utmost an hour, in the week. Indeed the country would not suffer if he were to pop in once a month and ask how thing 3 were going on. Could not the Minister of Justice do something for the mines? We maintain that, the appointment of another salaried Minister is utterly unnecessary for the efficient con-

duct of the business of the country. If Sir Julius Vogel is really anxious to foster the mining- industry, let him expend the above-mentioned £31,000 in providing first-class boring machinery at various centres throughout the colony, and let him devote the salary to payment of interest on the outlay. It is possible that the reference to the Minister of Mines in the Financial Statement, and the introduction of this Bill, may have exercised a benign influence on the fortunes of. the Government. The position of a Minister of the Crown is believed to have attractions for several gentlemen who occupy seats in the House of Representatives, and we have been informed that there are at least five members each of whom considers that he is not only specially qualified to hold the Portfolio of Mines, but that he has been marked out for greatness by Sir Julius Vogel. Such considerations have oyer some minds a steadying influence which renders the task of controlling a party, or a similitude of a party, more comfortable to its leaders, and gives to the organisation an air of stability which might otherwise be wanting.