MR. VOGEL AS A REFORMER.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume 19, Issue 1478, 12 November 1872, Page 2

MR. VOGEL AS A REFORMER.

(From the Thames Advertiser, sth November.) Since the time when Mr Vogel first commenced his political career he has invariably shown himself ready whenever he could catch an opponent bath ing, io steal the unfortunate's clothes and run off with them. The latent ftat of this kind has }ust come out, but it will be .seen that the Colonial Treasurer is not happy and comfortable in his new garb. It will be remembered that Mr. Gillies, in his Financial Statement, declared that the time had arrived when a great reduction would have to be made in the ordinary expenditure of the colony. He said " reductions to at least .£25,000 per annum can be made upon the general estimates ; and the coinmit!..ee will have reason to find fault if, when I bring down tlie estimates next year, that reduction is not effected." Mr Vogel has taken ap the suggestion, and is now trying to grope in the footsteps of Mr Gillies. The character of a reformer does not, however, appear to suit him veiy well. We should not be surprised, nevertheless, at the next meeting of the General Assembly, to see Mr Vogel come down to the House with an apparent saving on the estimates of £40,000 or £50,000, and thus eclipse Mr Gillies, but we should be Mirpriscd if much reliance were placed in the twisted an J distorted figures of the Colonial Treasurer. However, it- will be some satisfaction to ardent reformers to learn that the services of a colonel and three captains are to be dispensed with. This is a a most important reduction on a Civil Service staff consisting of many hundreds. But why, it will bo generally asked, should the Volunteer department of the public service be selected as the best one to begin the cause of reform with ? Ministers can spend thousand* of pounds annually in making royal progresses through the country, but they cannot afford to foster and encourage the Volunteer movement by the expenditure of a few hundreds of pounds. Why not lop off some of the unnecessary officials, who are receiving high salaries and doing no work, and why not begin with the Colonial Architect, with his £7OO a year and perquisites)