OSTRICH POLICY.

Globe, Volume V, Issue 530, 29 February 1876, Page 3

OSTRICH POLICY.

To the Editor of the Globe ,

cJte —lt is said that the ostrich, when hard pressed by the hunters thinks itself unite safe from all attack if it can only hide A, head in some hole, although its body be eutody exposed to the shaft*, of the hunters. Now, I think I can show very conclusively, that this Ostrich Policy is copied in New Zealand, by some who should know a great deal better, but who, led by fear, or selfishness, are afraid to face the truth. The politicians in question are those who adopt the idea of Boards of Works, Shire Councils, and similar dangerous delusions of that kind. My favourite way of putting an idea is to put the truth first, and then fo expose the error, as they say first impressions are mo it lasting. So we see that a central authority

for all large works is necessary for five reasons—1. We have now a splendid public works staff, in a high state of efficiency, by dint of practice in making railways. 2. Such staff will be presently available for any public works in any part of New Zealand, whether in draining Lake Ellesmere, and making the Little River railway to Akaroa, or in completing works through the centre of the North Island, or in making (as could easily be done) a good harbour at Kaiapoi (d la Port Said). 3. All the operations of such staff would be under the control of Parliament, through the Ministry, so that nepotism, or the gross favouritism, of which we have just had so deplorable a taste, could be properly rebuked.

4. In the carrying out of large public works of colonial importance, it is necessary to avoid all local jealousies, and Pedlington ignorance. 5. Such staff and means might be used for all works specially undertaken by, and voted for in Parliament.

On all these grounds the Commonwealth would be best served by the Central authority. But some shallow politicians propose half a dozen Shire Councils, or Boards of Works —which are open to grave objections—and indeed would ruin New Zealand.

1. Special pay would be required to each of these Boards, reviving that very expense of Provinces, so much objected to. 2. Nominated heads would be wanted, because, as Mr Rolleston put it so cleverly at Timaru the other day, the administrative and political functions would clash. I should say, no man can serve two masters. 3. “Good fat billets for nominees,” this would go far to make the Government of this country more corrupt than it is at present ; the Ministry of the day could positively buy thirty votes in the House —men would come forward and flatter the public to get the billets, and then betray their country with a kiss. “Dear Public, I’ll condescend to work for you at —well —£1000 a year —I don’t object to be nominated and remunerated. ”

4. The Boards, or Shires, would have their own separate staff, each for itself again—comprehensive schemes, diversified practice, wholesome experience, would be lost.

5. These Boards would be financially pulling and tugging in all directions ; loans and accounts in endless confusion, and logrolling as much a nuisance as ever in the Commons, because Provincial distinctions would be conserved in the new limits.

6. The Bankrupt Provinces can only be saved by being broken up into Road Boards, and their power for mischief crushed out of them. Boards of Works at Auckland or Wellington would still be bankrupt, and sturdy beggars like Fitzherbert and Grey would still demand money from the Treasury. 7. The Lyttelton Times in its mournful way proposed the other day to unite New Zealand by breaking it up into Provinces ! (capital Irish bull) and appealed to the fable of the bundle of sticks, that union is strength. I may well tell them, “None so blind as they who mill not see.” 8. I hope the intelligent middle "class of New Zealand will resolve to have a real bundle of sticks, well knit together—viz, Small rural Municipalities, with unpaid chairmen and boards, by the people, and these joined with the civic municipalities into one House of Commons and Government. Down with nominees ! Fat Billets ! Favouritism ! Let the people govern themselves.

9. Mr McAndrew would leave Auckland to ruin itself more and more, to ruin the thriving settlements near it. Other members would perpetuate Provincialism, which has brought the colony to the verge of ruin. This is indeed Ostrich Policy, poking our heads into some provincial nook, while the bankrupts and sturdy beggars, with the public creditor at their heels, seize our unfortunate corpus. Down with the Ostrich Policy (Provinces, Boards). Let us have at last one country, one land law, and one price; one education, one Government, and one responsibility, with the strength that union alone can bring. Yours, &c, J. W. TREADWELL.