Hawke's Bay Times. Nullius addictus jurare in verba magistri. MONDAY, DECEMBER 4, 1871.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume 18, Issue 1188, 4 December 1871, Page 2

Hawke's Bay Times. Nullius addictus jurare in verba magistri. MONDAY, DECEMBER 4, 1871.

Second only to the farce played by several of the committees of inquiry appointed during the late session, was the other farce of committee of supply. So far as we can learn, not a single item was reduced even by one farthing from the sum originally proposed by the Colonial Treasurer, although somewhat lengthy debates took place on several items. In each of these cases the close of the debate is indicated by the sentence—" The item was ultimately passed," or " The item was agreed to," pr " Carried on the voices." So far as the Colony is concerned, it. would have been better to have let the whole matter rest with Mr Vogel, for these debates, altogether fruitless in result, have cost a considerable sum to the Colony. Here it was that the people's representatives had an opportunity of proving their sincerity in the promises almost universally made before election, that economy in the cost of Government yhonld be a leading object in their legislative labors; but beyond wordsmere words—we see that that object has been lost sight of, and all the ministerial estimates passed intact. It cannot be disguised, for ministers made their intentions known sufficiently early to influence the House if it bad been so inclined, that members knew well enough that the passing of the estimates of supply necessitated the passing of those which were to follow in ways and means. The Colonial Treasurer had stated his intention to Impose the bread-tax and the additional stamp duties to make the estimates of fgpeipts balance those of expenditure.

Neither can it be denied that a vigorous cutting down of the estimates of supply would have rendered the additional taxation unnecessary. Members, however, seem to prefer to maintain their standing with the Government than to keep faith with the country.