The Feilding Star. THURSDAY, SEPT. 17, 1885. Sham Liberality

Feilding Star, Volume VII, Issue 42, 17 September 1885, Page 2

The Feilding Star. THURSDAY, SEPT. 17, 1885. Sham Liberality

Ik the House on Tuesday last Major Atkinson intimated his intention of moving, on the motion to go into Supply, for an address to his Excellency the Governor to place a sum on the Estimates for recognition of the services of Sir William Fox as Commissioner on the West Coast. We have always recognised the distinguished services rendered to the colony by Sir William, but we have also the idea that in one shape or another they have always been paid for at the time. At a season like the present, when the members are learning to "babble" of economical government, the motion seems particularly inopportune, and is one of those actions of the Major which betrays his singular want of tact. If we are not mistaken, Sir William undertook the duty as an honorary one, merely to be paid his actual outlay in travelling expenses. We are almost certain that he will not thank Major Atkinson for bringing forward the motion. It puts him in the position of the cabman who charges nothing for the ride, but " leaves it to your honor !" It would have displayed better taste if the subject had been broached before the Continuous Ministry were driven off the Treasury Benches. The country must also consider where this sort of thing is going to end. It is quite possible, if this motion were agreed to, that the Commissioners who sent in such a fearful and wonderful report on the East and West Coast railway might get a friend — who happened at the time to be a leader of the Opposition — to ask the Country to " recognibe their services." Neither time nor space will allow us to emunerate the hundreds of cases which might be instanced where supplementary rewards could be claimed for forgotten services, the charge for which had already been made to the revenue. For the honor of a gentlemen we hold in highest esteem, we hope that the motion of the Major will be rejected.