POLITICAL ECONOMY.

Auckland Chronicle and New Zealand Colonist, Volume 2, Issue 27, 8 February 1844, Page 2

POLITICAL ECONOMY.

To the public it is of the utmost importance that strict economy should be observed in the expenditure of the public funds in this colony, especially at this time when it is so much embarrassed. Wc allude to the unnecessary expendi* tuie of some three or four hundred pounds lor the Superintendent of the Government Printing Office, together with that of his son, notwithstanding they are altogether unacquainted with the routine of the profession. Forsooth !—Quite comfortable situations to be sure, for a gentleman and his son, whose duties are extremely limited, so much so that their services could be dispensed with altogether, it is really a wouder that the unnecessary expense of the Printing Establishment has not attracted pnblic notice before* The extra expense of it, (that is to say the salaries of two Superintendents not practical printers, to supervise two practical printers), would contribute muefu towards tbe support of the )ioor, sick, an<F|

> ...EEZESEES ' =- destitute, with which Auckland is at present thronged. Employing the destitute married is certainly a benevolent act—but the employment of the destitute single emigrants, would manifest still more charity, for they are deprived of bouses, or homes, and are left to drag out a miserable existence upon whatever tney can procnre. It is quite a mistaken idea that a single man in this country has better or more cheering prospects than a married man, for he must pay at least fifteen shillings a week for comfortable board, lodging, and washing; and where, in the name of humanity, can the unemployed procure this sum?—Surely, both married and single have an equal opportunity to procure it? Besides, the married men possess great advantages, for he ■can by strict economy support himself, wife, and three children, for twelve shillings a week, and many are obliged to do •it for ten shillings, and even less, A frugal wife will be an acquisition rather than a burden to her husband, even if he is out of employim nt,for we have a knowledge of some industrious women that earn weekly twelve shillings. It must be admitted then that the married men possess an advantages, comparatively speaking. The sum that is unnecessarily expended iu the Printing Establishment for Superintendents, would we add, contribute much towards the support of the poor, famished, and dying, that are at present to be seen in Auckland, by the erection of an Assylum for the receptiou of the sick, —or to expesded in other public works that will afford employment to the idle. There was sort of relief offered fto them at the first appearance of distress, but when it appears in its most advanced stages, bordering upon starvation and death, they are not regarded by the authorities. It will hardly be credited that we no longer ago than yesterday saw a poor woman iu a dying condition, destitute of every domestic comfort, except what was charitably given her by the neighbours. Humanity forbid us to allow this subject to pass unnoticed.— Communicated. [We publish this from a correspondent although we do not vouch for the truth of all bis statements, but will make enquiry by our next publication, and should the statcmant be correct •we shall have‘something to say about tins affair.].' , ’