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Gisborne Times, Volume IX, Issue 849, 25 March 1903, Page 3

The Japanese Trade Commissioners left Christchurch on Saturday afternoon, after visiting the Agricultural College and numerous other places of interest to them in their mission. In a linal chat with a Press representative, Mr Ando commented on the destruction of timber in New Zealand. “ In Japan,” he said, “ we conserve the trees in every way, and plant the hilltops and .waste places on every conceivable occasion. Here you seem anxious to get rid of your trees, and chop down and burn forests in what seems to us quite a reckless way. Thinking people in your own country .sec that you wilt have to go in for planting tim'bcr. Suitable trees might, at a very small expense, he planted on the h’ills by pupils of your schools.. It would b;d line, healthful exercise, and it would be the greatest economy in the long run.” ”•

How is New Zealand really governed Is Parliament supreme, or have its members wholly surrendered their right of control of the purse to the strong-willed gentleman who has been behind the counter for the last ten years or so ? 11 King Dick ” has long been one of Mr Seddon’s jocular nicknames, but it becomes a question whether his kingdom is not a reality. Has lie not nourished a system by which both Parliament and Cabinet arc bent to his will, and under the guise of a democracy he has acquired democracy, lie has acquired something something very, like autocratic power ? In his speech at Hanmcr the other day, the Premier stated that not more than 50 per cent, of the money granted by Parliament had been spent. The votes aad been kept back back designedly,; because the country could not afford to devote two millions to public works, and it must go slow. In other words, Parliament had made a fool of itself in his absence, and his superior wisdom had to step in and cjieck its folly. His locum ocum had been too sanguine in his outlook, and had led members astray from the paths of caution. He, the great Dick, was the patriot who was once more saving the country. And this, after a U, is what we have come to. Parliament may “ resolute ” and vote as much as it likes on financial questions, but, unless it pleases Mi Seddon, the money will be kept in band to swell the surplus at the end of the year, and bo used again to placate electors with nice-looking appropriations on the Estimates. Observer.

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