The Feilding Star. THURSDAY, DECEMBER 13,1883 Government Expenditure

Feilding Star, Volume IV, Issue 82, 13 December 1883, Page 2

The Feilding Star. THURSDAY, DECEMBER 13, 1883 Government Expenditure

In the indictment against the Go- , vernment under the leadership of Major Atkinson, which is certain to be brought next session, one of the principal clauses will be that of extra- \ vagance in expenditure. It appears j J that in framing the Estimates for the current financial year, the expenditure ' was calculated in the same proportion, : but no provision whatever was made I for any possible falling off in the revenue, or any contingent expense that might unexpectedly arise from Native disturbances, or damage to public works from floods or tempest. Shortly before the termination of the last session of the House, it was distinctly promised that the Civil Service would be thoroughly re-organised and large reductions would be made in this connection. It is evident the " re-organisation " has not been attempted in any degree, for no public intimation has been given of any reductions or dismissals from the public service, nor amalgamation of offices attempted. The delicacy evinced by the Government on this point may be accounted for by the close proximity of a general election, and its members may be (naturally enough) desirous of securing to themselves the support of so large and influential a body of votes as is made up by the Civil Servants of the Colony. This support would most certainly be taken away if many of the smaller members of the guild were cut off from their present mode of living, or their remuneration was reduced. Even supposing the proposal of the Hon. Mr Mitchelson to disfranchise the whole of the Civil Servants was carried out, a host of new enemies would be created, inasmuch as there is scarcely a family in the Colony that has not a son or a relative in, or connected with, the Civil Service, and, as injured individuals, would use their votes or influence against the authors of what would be, apparently, to them a manifest wrong. It will thus be seen that in avoiding Scylla, Charybdis might wreck the Government. Ordinary business men, when they find their staff too large for their requirements, generally adopt the plan of dispensing with all excess of labor whenever it suits them, and no comment is made by outsiders. The same might be done by the Government. There is no need for any violent or drastic measures that would create a lot of popular outcry. As appointments become vacant by death, resignation, or discharge, let the duties of the vacant positions either be added to those of employes in the same department or dispensed with, if possible, altogether. And, most important of all, when any of the better paid offices are made vacant from any of the before mentioned causes, let the prizes be given to men in the Service who have claims to them, and not to mere political supporters as rewards for past services of very questionable value. It cannot be denied that Major Atkinson has high qualities as a financier, but it is admitted by business men that a financier, as such, is not an unqualified blessing. The term as now used, has very often an unsavoury odour in the nostrils of commercial men, and if a tradesman was desirous of standing well with his banker, be would consider himself grossly libelled if the term was applied to him in connection with his business tcansaotions, for he would be aware that the said banker j

would, of necessity, be forced to deal with him at arm's length, which would in the end mean utter ruin. The condition and revenue of this Colony does not need financing ; it is sound, regular, and its amount can be calculated to a nicety. Therefore it is feasible to so adjust the ordinary expenditure as to leave margin for public works or contingencies, and thus avoid any necessity for increased taxation. The history of the Colony under the Atkinson regime has been one of financing — successful enough in its way — but on principles commercially unsound. Three years more of such Government will leave the Colony hopelessly bankrupt.