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Oamaru Mail, Volume IV, Issue 1303, 10 June 1880, Page 2

The election of Colonel Trimble as Chairman of the Native Affairs Committee affords fresh evidence of the determination of the Government and their friends to provide very comfortably for one another. The appointment of several Royal Commissions all from the Ministerial side of politics was strong evidence of thi3 "family failing," and ifc will take some time to efface from the memory of men of independent minds the fact that the Colony has been called upon to pay nearly LIO,OOO for a series of pleasure trips for the particular friends of the Ministry. Bnt this latest piece of jobbery is still more noteworthy, as Colonel Trimble will, in addition to his honorarium, receive LIOO for occupying a position for which nature has not qualified him, and for which he has received no training. He is a new member of Parliament, possesses neither tact nor ability—as was proved by the exhibition he made of himself in moving the Addrpgg in Reply—and knows nothing of the Maori language. The only point of recommendation he can put forward is the fact that he comes from Taranaki, and that Major Atkinson probably carries his vote in his pocket. This latest piece of Government favoritism provides additional evidence of the long recognised fact that honest merit doe* not always pay best in the world of Colonial politics.