THE PREMIER'S SERVICES

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 864, 9 July 1910, Page 7

THE PREMIER'S SERVICES

Sir,—Even the risk of needless iteration, I should like to answer the calamitycroaking of certain chronic political soreheads who, at a time peculiarly critical in the history of the colony, are striving by ill-timed carpings to harass and impede the skilled statecraft of the "man at the wheel." . • It is true that, as in the past few winters, distress is again rampant in the Dominion, and the cry of the unemployed is heard in the land. But, thirty years ago, \an equally great democratic leader had a.similar state of affairs on his hands, and I can well vdeall how the late Sir George Grey accentuated and intensified a condition of stagnation more acute and widespread than the present by a sweeping scheme of Civil Service retrenchment, which threw hundreds out of employment. Now', I will answer the cavillings of these croakers by asking them a few questions in their turn. 1 Who was the first to advocate the all-red cable service? 2. Who achieved penny postage for New Zealand ? 3. Who, for the first time in the history of Australian finance, raised a 3 per cent, loan for New Zealand? I. Who secured recognition of Nmv Zealand as a Dominion as distinct from..a .self-governing colony? 5. AVho originated and put on the Statute Book the superannuation scheme for the Civil Service? G. Finally, who, as the late Mr. Seddon's staunch colleague and able lieutenant, was instrumental in securing the following reforms: (a) universal suffrage, male and female; (b) old-age pensions; fc) advances of cheap money , to settlers; |i) a land-purchase system for cutting up t37ge estates; (e) compulsory industrial iifbitration; (f) a drastic Truck Act; (g)

State fire and life insurance; (h) Stateownership of mines? Tho answer to all will, I think, be found in the honoured name of Sir Joseph Ward. After nearly twenty years' experience as :t Cabinet Minister, mid after holding eight separate portfolios in his political career, it-' must bo conceded even by his bitterest opponents, that the brainy head of tho Liberal party ought to know something about statecraft and tho art of governmental administration. It is only biased and malignant adversaries, who would deny that, sinca Mr. Seddpn's death, Sir Joseph Ward has dono excellently well, and never so.veil as when "he has left well alone." Turning a deaf ear to the temptations which beset an unskilled political neophyte, he has refrained from challenging comparison with, his great predecessor and from launching out into. untried visionary schemes of Socialistic altruism. He has ably guided the ship of State past the rocks and shoals of the last three years, weathered the storms, and managed the helm so ably that the final question arises:'"Could wc find a better helmsman for Jlaoriland?"—l am, etc., V QUIEN SABE.