The Weekly Times. "Nullius addictus jurare verba magistri." MONDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 1867. MR STAFFORD AND FINANCIAL REFORAM.

Hawke's Bay Weekly Times, Volume 1, Issue 46, 18 November 1867, Page 285

The Weekly Times. "Nullius addictus jurare verba magistri." MONDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 1867. MR STAFFORD AND FINANCIAL REFORAM.

A. perusal of.thecdocumeat-published while joining. ;the Financial* Reform tieague, declares his long-standing faith;in thei.principles on.which the ■moy^^i,47nQW^'4aihH>^buhd'Mwill

an implied promise tb carry thein ;out. He - give the . Goldny to understand, that he .was able and determined to effect; great- and important reductions in the Colonial expenditure, and even after his accession to office reprated the assertion that he was happy to he able to say that he did see his way to siicli saving as he liad indicated ; but we all know that his acts have belied his .words. We have seen the expenditure of, the Colony actually increased, and our burthens of taxation made heayier, notwithstanding these professions, and now in again putting them before the public, he gives in the tail of his truly characteristic letter, expression to suggestion which shows that he-is. still as unwilling as ever.to initiate any of the reforms he verbally ap>proves. He, in fact, throws on the shoulders of the League, and similar institutions, the responsibility which belongs to himself and his colleagues, the task of indicating the reductions required. Of course, reserving to the Government the power to decline to adopt or approve of such suggestions He seems to forget that that is altogether the province of the Govern** ment. The people may complain of the burthens they are called on to bear, and declare their inability to endure them, and it is for their .servants to see that they are removed, and the grievance remedied. He must know that it is not any particular department of the public service that requires the application of reform, but the whole, from first to last, and nothing less than reform of such a sweeping character will .satisfy the the people. The exercise of pennywise meannesses such as characterise his Government distinguishes it from those that preceded it, while they do not appreciably diminish the expenditure, will not go one step, towards allaying the grievance complained ofTo do this it must commence in high places,, and where it saves, or professes to save, its pence from the commission of stamp sellers, or refusing to make public by advertisement necessary public notifications,, it must save its hundreds and its thousands of pounds from the public monies paid to those who in high places. fatten upon Government patronage. The particular branches of the public which need retrenchment require no indication but may, be, expressed, in one word, and that is all. We are sorry to see Mr Stafford’s letter contain its concluding clauses,! as it seems to show a , hollowness in his professions of a desire to effect a. reform, and we, areisure that it will.be far from tending to restore the confidence of the public to him as leader of the Government.

Another shining light has also shed its rays on the cause of reform and joined the League in the person of Sir. David. Monro, whose letter to, the secretary will: be found in another part of this day’s Times. His communication seems of a more practical character than the other,; and we trust

that he.ds-aliji by ; ,which his sugges'tion/may, be/brought about.