KOUTINE AND RED TAPE. 335 



spirit of enterprise that once distinguished the 

 heads of our public offices seems to have died out 

 with the last generation, and the present holders of 

 offices simply draw their salaries under the red 

 tape and official routine system now the fashion of 

 the day. Unfortunately for the nation at large, 

 now-a-days, any new invention or improvement 

 likely to be of service to the commonwealth, or to 

 benefit the state, is systematically burked by Jacks- 

 in-office, who are appointed either by family interest 

 or biibery, and rarely for their own qualifications 

 or merit ; and he who would venture to suggest 

 any change or innovation in the present routine 

 system to the clique who rule the roast, has to 

 sustain their united opposition, for they do not 

 hesitate to snub and weary him out by official pro- 

 crastination until he leaves the public offices in 

 disgust. It was proved in Parliament by Mr. 

 Forster, M.P. for Berwick, that Governor Maclean 

 was superseded in his appointment through the 

 enmity of an individual in the Colonial Office ; and 

 since his day many a worthy Government servant, 

 who never swerved from the path of duty, has been 



