RETRENCHMENT AND THE BUDGET

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 676, 29 November 1909, Page 8

RETRENCHMENT AND THE BUDGET

Sir,—l quite agree with Mr. T. E. Taylor, M.P., that there should, be a-substantial induction in the Governor's salary.. The position. should not carry a salary of more than <£2500. per ■ annuin. We should also have as Governor some gentleman, who has rendered distinguished, publio services, to .this country, and he should .be elected by : the peoplo at every, general election. It is an office which should be hold by a democrat, and not ,by an Old World representative of privilege., and monopoly. Mr. Taylor's Bill should, in the opinion of the wage-earners, not only provide for a reduction of the Governor's salary, .but also _of Ministers' salaries and, members', honorariums. .It is only just that retrenchment should apply all round, beginning at the top. The three-poUnds-aweck clerk should have been left till last. ' A.. Ministry* that' refuses : to decrease the Governor's salary, its own salaries, and the; honorariums of legislators first is certainly not democratic. The action of the Government in respect\to this matter will not be forgotten by the'people, who now plainly see that the' main'object of Ministers is to stick'like grim death to their emoluments. * .

The people'also clearly see' that the Ward Bndget, has- been ingeniously designed to pleaso all parties. But- it does not please . the workers, who recognise • that it will not improve their material condition one iota, • They will' never bo satisfied until land monopoly and the monopolies arising therefrom have been ; exterminated; Mere, palliatives, . lilce workmen's. homes, are nauseating' to the great party who want freedom and justice; Sir Joseph Ward says it. makes- his blood boil when told that he has done, nothing for the masses, and" proudly points to workers' homes, as though they were the remedy for the woes of Labour. Well, let his blood go.on boiling, he will not thwart Labour m rich longer." A new a political party is, .1 believe, in course of formation' for. the purpose of obtaining emancipation from : the tentacles of monopolists, and Mr. Hogg. ex-Minister, should make .a capable leader. Try him!—l am, etc.,- . '. ; ' DISGUSTED LIBERAL. 1 November 22.