SAUCE FOR THE GOOSE, NOT SAUCE FOR THE GANDER.

Manawatu Times, Volume III, Issue 89, 5 November 1879, Page 2

SAUCE FOR THE GOOSE, NOT SAUCE FOR THE GANDER.

It is somewhat prevalent, but -'slightly erroneous idea that persons are to be envied whose, business transactions bring them m contact wiijh the Government. Whether the supposition is a correct one as far as matters of large moment are concerned I know not ; but any dealings that I have had were of a particularly one-sided character. Take, for instance the conditions upon which j an uhj iting officer takes your money for the delivery of a telegraphic message, and you will find that " the Government will not be responsible for errors,' omissions, or delays, :in tho v transmission of telegrams j nor fur the non-ti'dnsinidsiun any telegram ; nor for the.de^iys m tlie. delivery, nor for the nondelivery of any telegram, from whatever causes the same may arise." Then again, you register a letter, or you take out a money order for forwarding a remittance, and m your child-like simplicity you imagine you have secured the amount against loss. No such thing, for should a peccant postman appropriate the sum, the loss still falls upon the sender, and not upon the Government. Why is this thus, or why should a fee be charged to secure a safety which is but a myth ? Were such an occurrence to take ptace between parties unshielded by the Govcrnme ta' <Egis, the delinquent would either answer criminally for false pretences, or else figure m a civil suit for breach of contract. Eminent jurists hold that the King can do no wrong, so I suppose the members of a Constitutional Government are likewise immaculate, but although they may be legally guiltless, they ai\e to my mind morally and equitably liable.