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Oamaru Mail, Volume IV, Issue 1298, 4 June 1880, Page 2

To talk of economy is at present the ruling pa sion amongst Ministers and members of Parliament generally, but how much economy do we see practiced by either ? We know of nothing easier than to talk glibly of economy, bnt to put it into practice is quite a different thing. Several instances of the want of sincerity in these professions have lately come under our notice. Take, for instance, the free use that has been made of the Government steamer, and what do we find ? On several occasions we find her despatched on pleasure trips with his Excellency the Governor. If his Excellency were desirous of attending a race-meeting—and he is fond of the sport—or if lie expressed a desire for a; little pheasant-shooting, the Hinemoa must, { forsooth, be despatched at great cost to the scene of the Governor's pleasure. Now, with I every respect to his Excellency, we are bound to say that the Colony cannot afford to maintain a steamer for any such.purpose." Again, take the case of several Auckland members. The Government steamer was despatched to the northern metropolis to bring down the members of the Assembly to attend to their official duties with the result that it did not just then suit the convenience of some of these devotees of economy to proceed to Wellington, and so a second trip of the steamer was rendered necessary. Not much economy about this sort of thing! And stiil the economic Ministry sanctioned the proceedings instead of forcing tyion those members who did not promptly answer their country's call the necessity for paying their own passages by one of the ordinary coasting steamers. There is by far too much travelling in state in this Colony. We cannot afford

the luxury, and there should be intend to.it. Our rulers have hitherto had a very good time at the expense of the tax payers, -who, in the face of fresh and oppressive Mirthens, are entitled to demand that ctect-snynM l>c given to the cry tor c-ooiioiity, aiict that. Ministers and members of Parliament should show their earnestness in the matter- py beginning at hbme.