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Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2323, 3 December 1914, Page 6

The Opposition papers have latelybeen praising Mr. A. W. Hogg for his sturdy common-senso 'and candour. They do not, however, quote tho best evidence .on the point, namely, Mr. Hogg's account of the Ward' retrenchment schemo in 1909-10. Mr. Hogg said, speaking from knowleagp gained as a Minister:—"The Boads Department, of which 1 had charge—the most useful Department in the Public Service—was smashed to pieces. . Remonstrance was useless. The Department, with its trained.officers and stalwart army of roadmakcrs, was wrecked. The boasted saving to bo effected by re-, trenchment was mado at the expense of' , tho co-operative labourers and land settlers. /The destruction of the Eoads Department was due to no . vindictiveness, but it was an.actof supremo folly. I venture to say that a more cruel or suicidal' act pf bad policy had never been inflicted on a young country. At a time of universal suffering, when work was unobtainable, thousands of i:>un were summarily turned off tho load work to beg; borrow, or starve. How they haunted the labour depots and upplied to the-Benevolent Boards for charity! How the settlers and business residents little centres petitioned and prptestotl against tho removal of labour from, their roads . and trackol, The cries ',1 heard, the scenes I witnessed. I, shall never forget. The •Treasury was declared empty, and men mid officers .-were dismissed at the'rats of a thousand a month."- ■ i