Hawke's Bay Times. Nullius addictus jurare in verba magistri. TUESDAY, JULY 18, 1871.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume 18, Issue 1071, 18 July 1871, Page 2

Hawke's Bay Times. Nullius addictus jurare in verba magistri. TUESDAY, JULY 18, 1871.

" For forms of Government let fools contest, Whate'er is best administered is best." So wrote the poet Pope long ago, and whatever may be said about the shallowness of his philosophy as a general rule, it becomes fully evident that in that instance he was not far wrong. Mr Gillies thinks that if the two islands of this Colony were to be made into two provinces, with a Provincial Government for each, and a General Government to take charge of such matters as concern the whole, an immense saving might be effected in the cost of administration. True, such might be the case, but then again it might not, and the chances are that any change, no matter what, would be taken advantage of by our present rulers to increase their patronage. It may, in fact, be considered certain that while there are funds at the disposal of Ministers, whether directly ox indirectly, they will take every advantage afforded to preate new offices, with which to reward subservient friends or purchase the tacit support of troublesome opponents. pJven in the simple case of the new Education scheme—so far as it has yet been made public—we fail to see much move than a spheme of patronage. A large nurnber of new officials are to be appointed, involving a new department pf Government. First, a Minister of location, with his staff of secretaries,

&g. Next, halfa-dozen or so of Inspectors of Schools, whose salaries and contingencies will go far to swallow iip a large proportion of the funds that should be devoted to educational purposes. No sign is given of any intention to exercise that economy which is essential to prosperity. We cannot wonder at this. It is so pleasant to a Minister to bestow with lavish hand the benefits at his command, and however good his intentions may be before taking office, he finds on its acceptance many difficulties in his way which effectually prevents his carrying them out. To attempt to economise is to raise a host of enemies on every hand, for not only will those whose interests are immediately attacked cry out, but also all others who may have the idea chat their turn may likewise come. It is, however, the duty of the public to watch closely the action of a Government iii this respect, and, in spite of the outcries or the applause of the interested, to condemn a Government which shows indifference to the public interest by the undue exercise of patronage, and to support a truly patriotic one which may show its 'determination to forward the public good whenever it may be found in power. Tried by the above test, we cannot help coming to the conclusion that the present Government of the Colony has miserably failed. When it vas found that the cost of government was greater than could be raised by taxation from the people, two courses were open to them, On the one hand, they could have introduced sweeping measures of retrenchment and reform, and stood or fallen by those measures, On the other there was the tempting path of credit open to them. By raising borrowed funds they would be able, not only to continue the present extravagant expenditure, but add to their popularity by lavish outlay of easily-acquired means, well knowing that a day of reckoning must come at last, but knowing at the same time that that would not be taken account of by the public during a period of fictitious prosperity. They chose the latter course, and its consequences will be felt for future generations. The panaceas proposed by shallowminded politicians, such as "Separation/' " Provincialism," " Centralism," &c , are quackery—one and all of them. Any of those high-flown schemes may be tried, and found, if malad ministered, only to increase the burdens of the community. What is wanted is retrenchment and subsequent economy in every branch of Government administration. We must have a General Government because we are one people, and however diverge local circumstances may be, there are many branches of administration only practicable from a common centre. We must also be locally governed on account of the locally differing circumstances before noted, and it matters little whether the local Government be called Provincial Council or Town Board. There is, however, no necessity for either the one or the other to be carried on at a tithe of their present expense. This has grown up gradually, taken root deeply, and will cost the people more than an ordinary effort to bring it under contiol.