WHAT DOES IT MEAN?

Evening Star, Issue 3982, 29 November 1875, Page 2

WHAT DOES IT MEAN?

To the Editor. Sir,— Sir Dillon Bail’s appeal to the Waikouaiti electors resident in Dunedin prov-s that he is in a political fog, and that the General Government is in a state almost bordering on utter bankruptcy, how to prevent which he dees not know, and he appeals to the electors asking them if something cannot be done It is pitiable to see a man who has so loner occupied the highest political posi ion, receiving the highest honor that the Slate can bestow whining to the electors and aski g, “ Gentlemen, what can we do ?” He says, “Is there no common ground on which we may at length cease to present the silly show of an externally divided body,” frc. ; and, again, “ I belong to that party who think that the crying want of the country is retrenchment in expenditure and simplicity of ndminist alien, and who well know that the public finance is in a critical state.” Cannot Sir Dillon suggest a remedy f>r this state of things ? If not, let him stand aside to make room for those who can. Others have sugg-sted a plan which he does not app-ovc of. I* it, then, too much to ask him to shew us a more excellent way? If Sir Dillon be so anxious for the welfare of the Colony, he might consent to the following proposals for cutting down the gigantic public expenditure First, cut down the enormous salaries of the heads of depa<tments; and second, reduce the pst of Provincialism by cutting the nine Provinces down to four. He must admit that this will hS a great saving. No, no. there is too much ‘‘danger” in this, he says. I ask where is the danger ? let : him point it out; Ich dlenge him to the p-oof. 1 Third'y, let him and his party c nsent to fur- | ther tighten the “strings” of the public purse by reducing the functions of the General Government. This is the white elephant - the monster that devours us. What with the notorious emigration agency, an itinerant PostmasterGeneral reckle-sly travelling the wide, wide world over, our Nat've department, and the frightful extravagance of the Government at Wellington, we are sucked dry, thoroughly dry. Let our politicians consent to those conditions and there is no fear for the future. There is something sublimely ridiculous in Sir Dillon’s proposal to retain the “ existing Provincial districts,” and yet destroy Provincialism. Does he wish to create another office, viz., that of “ Galvanising Minister ?” This surely is returning to the old Egyptian system of mummy-making. Heaven nave us from such legislators. Working men, will you suffer to pay such men to rule ever you with such a hindrance ? You pay the taxes, at least most of them. Then by your votes see that you get your worth for your money.—l am, etc, W. Hooper. Dunedin, November 29.