Manawatu Herald. SATURDAY, MARCH 14, 1891. Another Step.

Manawatu Herald, Volume III, 14 March 1891, Page 2

Manawatu Herald. SATURDAY, MARCH 14, 1891. Another Step.

It is curious, but true, that the new fledged Minister of Defence, after a six weeks tenure of office, has been able to see his way to make reductions in the Defence and Police Departments amounting to £17,725 per annum. We should have more faith as to the advisableness of this step, if the Minister had acted with more caution, and given the matter more i attention, as it is on record that far abler and more experienced Ministers are not in accord with him. Our Civil servants are much to be pitied, as every politician's hand seems to be against them, and that no economy seems able to be proposed that has not the reduction of either their pay or numbers. As regards the police department the policy seems to be, to clear away those who have been longest in the Service and therefore have had the most experience* It is evident thu

the Government have thought that something must be done, and there- j fore made this plunge, trusting that the assertion of a saving of £28,700 ■ a year will make the House accept the proposal to raise the salaries of the Ministers. The outlook for the retention of their portfolios, 100l blacker day by day, and the returc of Sir George Grey, and thw publica tion of another "startling" redue tion, will land them in the minority. The unseemly haste is very discreditable, the unfortunate officers are to cease service at the end of this month, , and are to receive their compensation J allowance ! What they are to do, . though they have given the best , years of their life to the service of the colony, appears not to worry the Hon. Mr Seddon, whose experience of the roughing colonists have to undergo, has led him to believe that men can fall upon their feet. Weregret the step taken, as such treatment of old servants must necessarily make the public service very unpopular, and cause the best men to seek other pursuits.