VISIT OF THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume IV, Issue 49, 1 March 1869, Page 2

VISIT OF THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH.

To the Editor op the Nelson Evening Mail. ' Economy means spending as much as saving.' Sik — In your account of the public -meeting in reference to the invitation ©f H.E.H. one of the speakers is reported to have said 'the money expended upon the reception, would not be lost to the Province, but merely placed in circulation in it.' This is offered as an argument, a clencher, for spending money on a Royal reception againßt the reasonings of those who think we cannot afford it. , In the masses of the people, those who hare to do the hard and disagreeable work of the world, even to the extent of neglecting their intellectual welfare, and who are to so great an extent denied,the advantages of education, such a display of ignorance might be excusable, but it seems unaccountable that such fallacies as the one exposed in the words I have quoted can exist in the minds of the highly cultivated, professional gentleman belonging to the better classes of society. And yet it is so. No doubt the gentleman who listened, as well as the gentleman who epoke considered the doctrine enunciated, based on sound and good political economy, and while this is so, how can we wonder at the financial disasters the colony of New Zealand is suffering from. If the Government were to spend five or six hundred pounds in 'having holes dug and filled up again we might say truly that * the money is not lost to the Province, but only circulated in it', but is this any argument in favor of spending money in any such unprofitable manner ? The fact of the five or six hundred pounds of money being '• circulated ' does not in the slightest degree counteract the evil ofthefive or six hundred pounds worth of labor being . wasted ; and the money would be circulated just as much if spent on some useful object, with this all important

advantage in. addition, that there would be money's worth created and in existence besides to show for it. Again, drunkards circulate money, spendthrifts and wasteful and extravagant Governments circulate money also, but does the fact of all these circulating money as it is called, exonerate them from their responsibilities of how they spend it? or does it make the evil consequences of their bad spendings the less felt ? Is it any of these* or is it not the prudent, the wise, and the thrifty and industrious that make a country prosperous. But if all we have to consider, and if all the Governments have to consider is just to circulate the money, that is, to spend the revenue on any object, right or wrong, prudent or imprudent, why then the faster it is spent the quicker it should circulate, and the more prosperous we ought to be ; but I think a very short experience of this kind of political economy would end in there being no money to circulate at all. There is no doubt that the Prince's visit will give a slight stimulus to the town, but it will be at the expense of a reaction and increased dulness afterwards. Money will be circulated just as surely as in the case of digging holes and filling them up again, and money's worth will be just as much wanting ; not that the fizzing and transient beauty of fireworks even, and the excitement of band and banners, and the sounds of rejoicing, and the enjoyment of good cheer* is not money's worth in its proper place, and at its proper time ; but the question for us to con* aider is, is this the proper time ? Wanting bread shall we indulge in wine ? Suffering so severely, from the depression of trade which has been brought about by nothing but bad and wrong expenditure which had led to the circulation of the revenues of the country on so many useless objects and luxuries, shall we spend still more of the little we have at our disposal, and which is so urgently wanted for roads, for bridges, and other reproductive works in smoke and wind ? If so, let it be done with our eyes open, and not under the delusion that it will cost the province nothing, because forsooth -the money spent will be • circulated in it.' I am, etc. , Foxhill, Feb. 22, 1869. J. G. To the Editor of the Nelson Evening Maie,. Sir — Your correspondent 'Loyalty' seems to wish me to point out all the beauties of the Haven-road to the Duke, but as this would require a longer visit than he will be able to afford time for and as I consider it would not be wise to surfeit his Royal Highness with sight-seeing, I would suggest that a Guide Book to Kelson should be published as a memento of his visit There are plenty of people who would willingly assist in getting it up, and my last contribution you are welcome to as well as the following. As his Royal Highness enters the town the first place that should be pointed out to him is the Post-office. This building is of modern architecture and is supposed to represent the department, viz., all head and top and weak understanding. The extensive foundry in Bridgetstreet, which is well calculated to meet the requirements of this and the neighboring provinces* should then be pointed out to him ; and then the pride of our town — the stone fountain in Trafalgar-street. This structure after the panel door Style of architecture was built by a bricklayer after a design supplied by a stone-mason and is generally supposed to be the model of the fire proof safe owned by the Board of Works, an enterprising tailor, a member of that body, having kindly lent his bodkin as pattern for the pinnacle on which stands the lamp. The three beautiful hotels at the corners of the streets must also command admiration. In my last letter I supplied artillery, but I had nearly forgotten the music. I would therefore suggest to the Recep* tion Committee that DeCarle's Grocery Stores supplies frying pans at the moderate rate of three for a shilling. One pound might be well expended here, and small boys are very plentiful. Yours, Sec, Duke H/cmphbey.