NEW SOUTH WALES.

Lyttelton Times, Volume V, Issue 298, 8 September 1855, Page 6

NEW SOUTH WALES.

Corruption i» Government Establishments. —-It is a remarkable coincidence that at the same time exposures should be taking place of gross corruption in the Government establishments of Van Diemen's Laud and this colony; and that recently very similar exposures should have been made in Victoria. The particular form in which corruption, as now exposed, has taken place in Van Diemen's Land, is that the officers of the Convict Establishments (paid, principally or wholly, from English funds, and therefore nearly or wholly irresponsible to the colony), had not only taken an unconscionable number of the prisoners into their private employment as servants, but had become, with the aid of this surreptitious labour, contractors and dealers on a large scale in wood, stone, bricks, &c. The form in which corruption so far has been exposed in this colony is not quite so gross as this, for it does not include the charge of making money directly, by means of labour surreptitiously obtained. But it does include the charge of doing so indirectly, particular officers being accused of obtaining a number of prisoners or others as servants, beyond the number allowed by the regulations, and by their aid obtaining fuel, cow feed, &c, &c, enabling them to eke out a luxurious style of living from professedly moderate salaries. Mr. Parkes' speech on the financial minute extended this form of charge from the officers at Newcastle to those at Port Curtis and other places. We ob* serve that Mr. Morris, by first exaggerating Mr. Parke's charge against Captain Q'Connell, at Port Curtis, and then rebutting the exaggerations, sought to throw a ' cloud ' on the whole statement as untrue. We have ho means of knowing ourselves whether Captain O'Connell has or has not permitted the outrageous expenditure, and committed the improper conduct, actually stated by Mr. Parkes. But the public will-no doubt remember that in the case of the Gabo Island exposures, made last session by Mr. Parkes, the result of the enquiry which was instituted proved that he had understated, and not exaggerated, the inexcusable neglect of the Colonial Secretary and the Government. And we found reason to believe, on recently visiting Newcastle, and hearing the statement of both sides, that Mr. Parkes and Mr. Flood have not exaggerated the corrupt conduct of the officials there. We trust Mr.jParkes will not be deterred from prosecuting the series of enquiries he is evidently making into the real conduct of Government departments throughout the country. It is quite impossible that a corrupt official can insist, as he ought to insist, on the proper and industrious fulfilment of duty by the subordinates in his office ; and thus the country loses on all hands. The exposures will ultimately show us how it is that a country may lavishly spend hundred of thousands every year on Government salaries, and yet not obtain good Government after all.— Maiiland Mercury, Ist of August.