"DUM SPIRO, SPERO."

Feilding Star, Volume XVII, Issue 301, 26 June 1896, Page 2

" DUM SPIRO, SPERO."

TO THE EWTOE. , Sir, — I very much regret that there is in our community such a person as is. portrayed by tbe letter appearing mi your issue of this evening over tlfe norn deplume of " Dum Spiro^ SperC.V/ y . Briefly, permit me to touch on his sab-r ject and matters closely allied ther^*' , with. Sir, the manner in ' which the Premier of this colony and the other , high representatives and Ministers are , cloaking what legally and morally is anawful wrong— a wilful deceit-*is abbm. inable ; and from the example thns set we have the multitude that comprises tbe ex • Colonial Treasurer's welcome, , gatherings. We hear constant pratings of the " Wizard of Finance," and subb like flattering addresses ; but why their origin? Why, sir, against Mr Ward's , claims to his clever banking legislation; which be says caused his ruin, and he acted the philanthropist, the next sen*, tence uttered by the same gentleman is that if there are flaws in the principles '. at the back of the legislation in question* ; he did, he says in his own defence, what , by virtue of his office be was compelled ; , to do. Then, where is the consistency ' of this philanthropist? As for that , famous 3 per cent, loan, the fact of Mr Ward's being Treasurer had nothing to , do with the men who found, the. money \ at 8 per cent. Money was falling in price, and our great "socwl pests'" pr& t ducts — wool and mutton—were increas- ; ing in quantity and quality, and as the . colony wanted money we availed bur* selves of the rates offering; the Colonial Treasurer's work in the matter being . tbat of the broker only. We look fin , vain for great finauciai powers and abil* ..' r , ity in connection with the unfortunate/ < association that bears. his name. A'lbiss V ot £100,000 in good times I The signing / of faulty balance-sheets! These are j\ stern, undisputed facts ; and yet onr/ , Powers cloak the man %boin fullpost . session of his mental faculties, and snp> posed financial ability is most closely - [ conuected therewith; and directly re^ sponsible. Rather admire : 'fh)£i action of that Presbytery that thanked the Su : preme Power for inspiring sneh a man, as Justice WiUiams with a decision based on the highest principles of law* equity, and justice, -and compare that with tbe Premier's prattle and faympathy. Sir, the point in the whole issue is so closely allied to tbe present Gov--1 ernment that it cannot te sepuratedii - 1 What we require is pare .administration, and a total absence of this shameful 1 wire-pulling.— l am, Sec., ■ ? ; >^ ; 'AiItJVC# A