The Gisborne Times. PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. FRIDAY, SEPTEAIBER 4, 1908. THE CASE OF AIR SIMSON.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2287, 4 September 1908, Page 2

The Gisborne Times. PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. FRIDAY, SEPTEAIBER 4, 1908. THE CASE OF AIR SIMSON.

Tlio other day we referred to tlio peculiar methods adopted by the Government in regard to tile re-leasing of certain grazing runs in flic Poverty Bay district and indicated the barefaced manner in which political patronage had been utilised, in thoso instances. A friend of the Government was granted a fresh lease of his run, whilst two gentlemen, . whoso claims were in no souso inferior, had their applications refused. There has boon a good deal of indignation locally over this matter, and even the monitors of tlio Land Board havo resented the impertinent 'interference in their domain by tjie Minister, who has not hesitated to' use liis powers in an autocratic manner for the purpose of favoring a political friend of the Ministry. However, the hubbub th.it followed upon tlio Minister’s high-handed action was so pronounced that it became evident something must be done to placate the noisy ones, .and in seeking for a 'scapegoat, the powers-that-bo promptly seized upon the Crown Lands Ranger, who had in tlio first place, in the ordinary courso of his duty, reported upon tlio suitableness or otlicrwiso of the runs for subdivision. Just where Air lan Simsoii departed from tlio Governmental wishes it is not easy to docide, but the fact remains that another valuer was scut out to obtain another report upon one of tlio runs lie had inspected, and Air. Simson was put into, such a position that ho had no course open but to hand in his resignation. It is not with tlio virtual dismissal of Mr Simson that we are concerned, but it is with the contemptible manner in which it was cairied into effect. If Air Simeon had shown himself incapable of properly fulfilling his duties or had beon found guilty of improper conduct, then the straightforward courso would have been to disnTiss him and put\,a bettor mail in liis place. This is the courso that would have been taken by any business man, but we have long since learnt how futile it is to expect business-like methods in the conduct of public affairs. In this instance the. Government adopted an old subterfuge by ordering the Ranger’s transfer to Duuedin. Twelve years before Air Simson' had left the Otago district and taken up his home in Poverty Bay, because his health would not stand the severity of the Southern winters. He is now getting on in years, and to ask him at this stage to leavo Gisborne and take up liis residence in Dunedin was simply to invite him to sign his death warrant. This aspect of the question was testified to by his medical adviser. Tho facts were made known to the Minister, but he was obdurate. Air Simson must either break up his home at ,a few week’s notice and accept a change of location that would in all probability materially shorten liis life or else resign. Naturally, he elected to choose the latter alternative. Thus a public servant, who has filled an exceedingly responsible position for many years, and against whom no charge of any kind, is laid is virtually' dismissed from tho service without any warning, simply because it was necessary to find a scapegoat,to cover up somo political chicanery. His successor, Air Robertson, has already taken up his duties, and we havo every reason to, believe that he will give every satisfaction in the position. Air Robertson will find, however, that it is impossible for a Grown Lands Rangor to please everyone, .and while congratulating him upon his appointment, wo can only hope that he will never’'ho tho victim of such despicable treatment as lias been meted out to his. predecessor.