A SIGN OF THE TIMES.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 924, 17 September 1910, Page 4

A SIGN OF THE TIMES.

WAiRM TALK FROM FAITHFUL FRIEND. r ,

The Dunedin. "Star,"! which has for many years been. a. thick-and-thin supporter of the Liberal party,' printed 'on Wednesday a remarkable and signficant 'article upon .-the Government's backdown in connection with the Governor's : residence' in - Auckland. ... -'Disgusting" and ""shamefully pusillanimous." are the. terms in which: the.■' 'Star'' describes Aho; action' of the Ward Administration,; which" it • contrasts, in a tone of contempt," with, the Seddon tration. ; ; Vi

"A Public Scandal" is the: title of the article, from which we make the following extracts:—"Disgust: is the •mildest word with which we can express our feelings concerning' the .wretched capitulation' of' the "Ward Ministry in ; the matter of ,the retention of the old Government House at Auckland as a vico-'regal residence. - The Leader of the Opposition, who (for parochial reasons) approves this pitiable tergiversation, coolly remarks that all's well that'ends ' well, and that-now there will be no necessity for a .'fight in Parliament.' We ty-ust that Mr. Massey, is reckoning 'without his hosty and that southern-, members—or, rather, 1 all members outside the mad ciroleof Auckland rapacity and narrowness —will take good ca<re that there shall!be Vfight in Parliament.' . . . . It is simply intolerable that the Government should capitulate in this shamefully pusillanimous manner to the pressure of Auckland _ megaloand ■' Auckland Parliamentary representatives; ai)d we tell Sir Joseph Ward plainly that the mana of himself and his : colleagues cannot' be expected to survive many'more exhibitions .of similar weakness. We hope that' the Trades and Labour Councils and other democratic bodies will protest vigorously against the wanton waste ,of public money—amounting to many-'■thousands "of pounds—involved in the decision to renovate and refurnish what should be a doomed residence, merely for the sake of placating a. hostile sentiment which ought to be contemptuously ignored. Mr. Seddon would have seen the Auckland shriekers to Jericho rather than have backed down in a . matter of this kipd. But 'standing ,to the guns' is not the special : forte of tho Ward Ministry.'. - ■