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Dunstan Times, Issue 965, 15 October 1880, Page 2

Resident M agisti ate Verily there is hope even for our Cromwell contemporary ; and he may yet prove the source of more joy than “ uinety-and-niue just men.” There is one thing, however, which our contemporary appears not to understand, namely That it is an unpardonable breach o f journalistic etiquette to speak of “ the writer” of editorial articles. We mention this in all kindness, and merely for his information, in the hope that he will “keep it steadily in view,” as Ministers say, and amend his manners.

A leading article in the dutha Leader of October Sth, treating on the policy of retrenchment of the Government, and the discharging of so many of heads of departments and large salaried officers, concludes with the following“ All must feel it as very unfortunate that the services of such experienced and trustworthy public servants have to be dispensed with, but if this can be accomplished without detriment to the service, as we believe it can be, then the Government is entitled to a very hearty public support in the course they are now pursuing.” Now doubtless this is a very pretty sentiment, but bow the writer of the article can believe that the dismissals will not prove detrimental to many branches of the public service, and at the same time keep silent about previous extravagance, we do not understand. We should like to hear further from our contemporary. That there are many officers whose individual services could be dispensed with, and many departments that could stand the pruning knife, there is no doubt ; but that the service can stand such an indiscriminate reduction and remain efficient, we can never believe. And we feel fully persuaded that time will show us to be correct ; in particular, it will be found that the District Judges cannot overtake the work of the South Island, and that the police will become thoroughly dis organised.