POLITICAL NOTES.

Evening Star, Volume IX, Issue 2674, 12 September 1871, Page 3

POLITICAL NOTES.

CONSTITUTIONAL REFORM. The DmiHan Times thinks that the adoption of Mr Macaudrew’s resolutions must eventuate in hastening the annihilation of the Provincial system, the accomplishment where.>f, and the substitution of something better in its place, should win for Mr Macandrew the lasting gratitude of his fellowcolonists. As representing an important section of the community over which Mr Macandrew now exercises control as Superintendent, and having aided in no slight degree to ensure his election to office, the residents throughout the Dunstan goldfield should instantly bestir themselves, and consider in what form local auppo;t can behest and most p.omptly accorded him. The country system has very many good features, but it lias also one radical defect—the cost of central administration, which under the Westland w/h/m has attained extravagant proportions. But withal the advantages of the system over balance its defects, which in the prop )sod Otago counties might be remedi; >\ The Timed article concludes by advising the residents of the goldfields to petition the Assembly in favor of the resolutions. THE COMPTUOLLERSHir. Mr Collins appears to he the “ nagger ” in the House. In moving his motion as to the L 50,0')() obtained from the Comptroller for the ostensible purpose of paying off certain debentures, he reminded lion, membcis of what he was pleased to call the “ feebleness ” and “fatuity” of the answer given by the Premier to bis question, about Mr ogel’s mission to Kngla d, he characterised the C"iiduet of the Government as “financial thimblerigging,” complained that the Treasurer had treated a serious matter with “lightness, jocoseness, ami “levity,” and wound up by declaring that “the country was in a dangerous state.” A lively and acrimonious debate ensued, during which Mr Vogel invited the Opposition to table a nocontidenco vote at once, instead of “bringing on these small notices for the purpose of annoying the Government.” .This challenge was not accepted, and Mr Collins had the pleasure of being told by some of his friends that the motion he bad brought forward was useless. But the debate says the Li/Urltuii Tini/’s, disclosed a stale of things with regard to the ComptroUcrship which oughtto he rcm.died as soon as possible. If a Government is at liberty to draw out money for one purpose and apply it to another, then the system of control is not as complete as it ought to be. It is ridiculous to say, as Mr Gillies did, that the control is sufficient for a scrupulous but not for an unscrupulous Cover, ment. That is_ simply tantamount to an admission of its inefficiency. The Act under which the Comptroller holds office was pa sed; wc pivssume, for the express purpose of doing what, according to Mr Gillies, if it fails to do—placing an effectual check upon a Government pot eery scrupulous about the direction, ip which the public funds are applied. apfopg as. the money is spent in the publmseryiyG some way orother. When it js said that Governments have, not bacp ip the habit of expending mopey voted for a specified purpose on other objects, the i oniptroller’s Act is in it seif sufficient proof that they have , and that legislation to prevent such, practices was considered ncecssarv. It docs not appear that the sins of the Fox Government iu this respect arc any blacker than those of their predecessors in office, but these sins ought to be impossible under any Government. So far as the Comptr Her is personally' concerned, wo cannot help thinking that his fiends have acted indiscreetly. IS p opp doubts cither his ability or integrity, or questions his fitness for the pthpe which be holds, but it is a matte* of notoriety that he has not refrained from meddling in politics. The present Government had the exercise of their duty, to, ycvciyc. a rather ahject apology frrpp the Comptroller, and it would sy-OKi as if this, had: uo.t been forgotten.