Tuapeka Times. AND GOLDFIELDS REPORTER AND ADVERTISER. WEDNESDAY, MARCH 6, 1878. "MEASURES NOT MEN."

Tuapeka Times, Volume XI, Issue 753, 6 March 1878, Page 2

Tuapeka Times. AND GOLDFIELDS REPORTER AND ADVERTISER. WEDNESDAY, MARCH 6, 1878. "MEASURES NOT MEN."

That a cordial reception should be given to Mr J. 0. Brown upon his return to the district is only a fit and proper thing considering the substantial services he has rendered to his constituency. The majority of members have a great deal to say in and out of the House, ai'e great at promises and explanations when they meet the electors, but there the matter generally ends; and it is too frequently discovered that they have been "grinding" some little " axe" of their own, and have riot troubled to work out their duties or pledges . to those who sent them to Parliament. Mr Brown is altogether of an exceptional stamp, largely endowed with energy and above all with patience ; he is always at work. Tuapeka and its progress are ever in his thoughts; and, under a succession of Ministries, all of which, until the present one, he politically opposed, he Has managed by consummate tact and almost? sleepless iridefatigability to get a lion's share of what good things might be going. But for htm the'railway connecting us with Dunedin would never have been completed— ;we question if by, this time it would have been even initiated. In Lawrence it might be said of him as of the ancient Roman : "If he needs a monument, look round you!" ' *" Comparisons are odious " certainly ; but the contrast seems almost forced upon us between the brilliant and versatile genius of the representative of the Dunstan and. the homely, unassuming, steady qualities ■which have gained for Mr Brown general estimation here, and a position of very considerable influence in Parliament. Mr Vincent Pyk'e is a power when he chooses with his tpngueand with .his pen, but, unfortunately, lie seldom does choose ; and as for steady application to political business, his friends even hive given up. expecting this from him. His politics vary with his temperament, and that changes likb the wind, consequently he has no party fcies r and. little .influence . beyond his vote.' ■ Mr Brown,, on the contrary, whilst essentially: a party, man/. . and vigorous in that,' never forgets or loses sight of the main chance. No blandishments can render him heedless of the interests of bis district. In season and out of season, with friend and foe, he advocates these, ; and has a way of piftting tiling^, almost "amounting ' to inspiration, ■which; generally ensures his obtaining his ends. Ministers and heads of departments lonj; ago given " Brown " up as a hopeless case to attempt the ''putting off" policy upon — he will have his business gone into, and gives no quarter until it is

settled. It is not necessary for' us here, to speak of the attention and courtesy with which ft he always meets his constituents on public, or what may be tofc some of them individually, private business. His services ate literaßy N at their., disposal; ihd he is al.way& ready to do "a gooa turn and save tftem and expense by the benefit of his experience or his accessibility to official departments or records. Politically, Mr Brown commands our support not only for the consistency of his past conduct,, but ,for allying himself so closely with the party of progress in the-person of Sir George Grey; We may not be prepared to defend every act oi the Ministry. Many of their acts, which have been most conderiinedj not iua- ' probably admit of satisfactory explanation ; but with r regaid to the liberal policy indicated — the fair, adjustment of the incidence of taxation — the extension of the franchise — the dealing with native lauds, a subject little understood in the South Island, but of vital importance to the Colony — we cannot but accord our- complete approval. >As 'administrators .there are possibly; no politicians who can rival — if even they 6an I approach — the Premier and Mr Mac-andi-ew, so that there, is gop^'r^son to hope, that the, promises made of reform and. economy, in the public service may not prove abortive, but thafr'She matter t will be dealt with calmly and judiciously with a due x*egard to all the interests , involved. Sir George Grey, with his colleague Mr Fisher, of Canterbury, the Postmaster- General, will be here in a few days, and we feel-sure they will receive a hearty welcome. Those who ■h'jvvo riot heard Sir George speak have really a treat before them. He stands unrivalled in the art of captivating his audience, and by his eloquence carries away, e,ven those who by no means agree with his principles. The, high opinion' he entertains of our representative must be regarded as a great honor to ourselves as well as to him, and we may feel proud of Mrßrown as well as properly appreciative of his services.