The Dunstan Times CLYDE, FRIDAY, MAY 13, 1881

Dunstan Times, Issue 995, 13 May 1881, Page 2

The Dunstan Times

CLYDE, FRIDAY, MAY 13, 1881

Beneath the rule of men entirely just The pen is mightier than the sword.

That veteran politician and Liberal statesman, Sir George Grey, is once more on the war-path. On April 30 he addressed his constituents at Grahamstown. His speech was, of course, a very able and interesting one, and perfectly typical of him as a publie man. Otherwise, iliuuali, Sir address was rather disappointing, and tended to plainly point to the fact that he is daily becoming more and more autocratic and narrow-minded, and he was more than usually inclined to show off to the best possible advantage his overbearing, domineering qualities. He began his speech by relating a strange story about a diabolical plot (in which Major Atkinson and Mr Sherwood were the principal conspirators) to rob the public of £IO,OOO, a bribe to certain public bodies in-Patea, and which was to be chiefly expended on the Patea Harbor works. The speaker clearly proved that an extensive system of bribery, corruption, and land jobbery has been, and is now, going on under the present Government; and it will go on until Doomsday, if they are not brought to their proper bearings on these important subjects by the people. It is very difficult to imagine that we have seen a correct report of the speech, as Sir George is said to have made some rather mysterious remarks anent Government life insurance. He said, in reference to the subject, that the principal part of the burden of the system was, by the shuffling policy of the Government, foisted on to the shoulders of the working classes. The wealthy man insured his life for £40,000 or £50,000, whereas the limit of insurance by the Government is £3,000. As for the burden falling upon the “great unwashed, ’ that is a fallacy. The system really supports itself, and by no means could the working classes be made to uphold it. A man, wishing to make provision for his wife and family, takes out a policy for a certain amount, pays a stipulated sum of money quarterly or otherwise, and, for the time being, there the matter terminates. Should the insurer die before the expiry of his policy, if he has kept the premiums paid up punctually at the specified time, the amount he insured for is paid over to his heirs, and then the matter is ended for ever. No one is forced by law to insure his life, nor are those who do so taxed for the privilege. How any man in his right mind could make such an unfounded statement, is more than we can understand. Sir George asserted that the Government used the money received through the Insurance Department in any manner they chose. The money, as probably most of our readers already know, must be invested in a direction indicated by an Act of Parliament. With respect to the Civil service, Sir George said: taxes as well as other people, and they had inflicted on them a reduction of 10 per cent. This, they were told, was to be returned. Their system of taxation was clearly a robbery.” . . . The speaker certainly hit

the right nail on the head when he asseverated that the manner in which the Civil servants were taxed was a system peculiar only to blackmailers and highwaymen. If Government intended to return to the victims the 10 per cent, reduction imposed on them during the last 18 months, for what object was the measure introduced ? Perhaps the assertion that Government intended to return the reduction was promulgated for the purpose of smoothing over the ruffled feelings of the Civil servants, and currying favor with them in advance, thus ensuring to themselves their votes snd support at the approaching general election. The member for the Thames remarked that if we believed the honeyed and fulsome words and promises of those at present in power, thr n we would place unlimited faith in them, and allow them to pursue a course which would land us in degradation, misery and virtual slavery. That may be so, but we are inclined to the popular sentiment that all Governments are alike in this respect. Give any number of men unlimited control over the public purse, and the consequence will bo that the individuals so favored will abuse their privileges and powers. All Governments, excepting in their political creeds, are similar to each other. All have their advocates and enemies ; all do a little in the bribery and corruption department; and all indulge in a few stereotyped expressions about their “ untarnished honor, incorruptible virtue, good name,” etc. Sir George raved about his word of honor and fame, but we would just ns soon believe that the Government would voluntarily give up the sweets and emoluments of office as that Sir George would give himself heart and soul to the Liberal cause and he content to sit on the Opposition benches under the leadership of (say) Mr John Sheehan. We are inclined to give both Conservative and Liberal up in despair. Both strive for the "same thing filthy lucre—and neither think of promises made at the hustings to their constituents. Taken on a whole, the address was (as we before said) interesting, but very disappointing and one-sided, j