The Akaroa Mail. FRIDAY, MARCH 1.

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume 2, Issue 169, 1 March 1878, Page 2

The Akaroa Mail. FRIDAY, MARCH 1.

During the last session, it was admitted on all sides of tho House that the financial condition of the colony was anything but satisfactory ; that the expenditure was in excess of the revenue ; that fresh taxation would have to be resorted to, and that the most rigid economy in expenditure was absolutely necessary. Sir George Grey and Mr Macandrew both expressed themselves strongly on this latter point, maintaining that £100,000 per annum could be saved easily on departmental expenditure. Certainly, before imposing fresh taxes on the people, it should be the duty of every government to reduce the expenditure as much as possible, consistent with providing for sufficient administration. But to do this requires careful investigation into every branch of the public service. The minister presiding over each department should institute a rigid inquiry into all matters under his control, and to do this effectively, time and patience are needed. During the session ministers are too busily engaged in political warfare to divine economical methods of administration. But when the session is over, their undivided attention can be given to the duties of their respective departments ; and it is during the recess that re-organization can be effected, and the various branches of the public service placed in a state of efficiency at the least cost to the State.

We are led to make these remarks from having watched the proceedings of ministers since the Assembly was prorogued. We hoped and expected to see them giving their best attention to the economic reforms so much needed and so emphatically promised. But instead of this, what have we seen ? Sir George Grey and Mr Sheehan go to the North, to Napier, Auckland, and other places, to address large meetings, to be feted

and caressed by a people delighted at having their man in power, and especially at having secured the land fund of Canterbury. Mr Lanarch and Mr Macandrew at the same time go down to Otago to be deputationised ; to make promises, and to be glorified ; Colonel Whitmore and Mr Fisher being the only ministers left in Wellington. Granting that they brought the utmost grasp of ' their comprehensive minds to the question of administrative reform, it cannot be supposed they made much progress in the desired direction, when they had to attend to the ordinary routine of the departments of their absent friends as well as their own. It would not surely have been too much to expect that after the ministers had received the plaudits of their admiring constituents in their respective districts, that they would have all assembled at Wellington with the determination to perform the unpleasant, but necessary duty, of devising practical schemes of economy. But instead of this, what do we find ? We find Colonel Whitmore and Mr Sheehan have gone to Auckland for an indefinite period ; Mr Lanarch is somewhere in Otago ; Sir George Grey, Mr Macandrew, and Mr Fisher are on a tour of the islands, propagating a certain political gospel, and receiving expressions of gratitude from those who " expect favours to come." The only Minister left in Wellington is Mr Ballance, and, though a man of ability, he will have so many papers to sign that he cannot spare much time for anything else. Many of the supporters of (lie present Ministry believed they wou'd give closo and earnest attention to the duties of the departments—that they would make themselves thoroughly acquainted with the work done by the permanent officials, and ascertain whether the work could not be better done by a leaser number of dorks—in short, whether the £100.000 could not be saved. It docs appear, however, that the aim of the Ministers, or at least of some of them, is to popularise the Ministry, and by well delivered, eloquent speeches, to create a majority in favor of Sir George Grey at the next election. We venture to say that, the Ministry being on their trial, no amount of promises or eloquent addresses made now to admiring audiences will have much effect a year hence if the real work of the country be neglected. When iho Assembly meets, the question will be— " What has the Ministry done ?"—not what they have promised. They will hr.ye to show that a large saving has been made in expenditure ; that the railways have been well managed ; that the survey of laud purchased has been pushed forward vigorously ; that we;l devised measures have been matured for altering the incidence of taxation ; for adjusting the representation ; for disposing of the Native lands, with tho owners' consent, to industrious settlers of moderate means, and generally for advancing the interests of the colony. We warn Ministers that what is said now at large, enthusiastic meetings will only be remembered to the advantage of Ministers if their performance be equal to their promises ; and that if they meet Parliament without being able to show ! a large reduction in the expenditure ' consequent on a careful re-organisation of the public officers —if, in short, they ! do not show they have been good ad- ■ miiiistrators, then it will be found all the < eloquence has been wasted. They will 1

be judged by their dcod#. Sir George Grey has a splendid opportunity. Six months from this date the colony will know whether his performance is equal to his promises ; and if he be not able to show this, he may be quite certain that the popularity he is now so eagerly seeking will not avail him in his time of need.