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Oamaru Mail, Volume IV, Issue 1318, 28 June 1880, Page 2

Ok Wednesday last Mr. Browr led off a discussion on the report of the Civil Service .Cojnmission. This discussion interrupted the fto.-cpnfidence debate, which had dragged on wearily of the long-suffering and Christian-like spirit disphjygd by the Government and their adherents. The Oppflsitiqn, so far, has had all its own way. The meat have, with a resignation which would be truly remarkable in any other set of men, allowed themselves to be knocked down likj® nine-pins, and have scrambled upon their legs with an • almost lamb-like meekness. It was, therefore, a relief when Mr. Brown changed the although it was pregnant with discord which, presented a striking contrast to the monotonous unison of the no-confidence dirge. For the first time.for several days the Ministerial benches were occupied by active performers who treated the House and the galleries to a little pleasant discord. Mr. Brown and ofteys on hie side of the House very reasonably wished to know bow it happened that the report of the Civil S.ervice Commission was unaccompanied by any of the evi.dence upon which are based what are generally viewed a? startling conclusions. They wanted to know whether the House was to rest content with bare assertions, or whether the gvidence which had been elicited by the CoHjnjjssion would later on be laid on the table. The Minister for Public Works, without giving himself time to maturely consider the situation, sought to satisfy enquirers by replying that he was unaware of what were the intentions of the Commission; that he had not had any communication with them on the subject; that he thought there might be no objection to laying the evidence upon which the report was based on the table of House; but that there might be portions of that evidence which it would not be expedient to make known to the House and the countiy. No wonder that these remarks of the hon. gentleman were met with cries of " Oh!" from both sides of the House. We venture to assert that the Honorable Minister for Public Works never performed a more impolitic act than to hint at the suppression of any proofs of the conclusions 3t which the Commission had arrived that might be available. No wonder "that hon. members wished to know whether the characters of high officials were to be blacken ed without giving them an opportunity of defending themselves, or whether the government would place them in possession qt the charges and the names of those who had been the means of their institution, in order that they might, if possible, rebut them. The prevailing idea was that the Government intended to accept the ipse dixit of the Coinmission without troubling themselves further about the matter. Nor was this impression removed by anything that was said on the other side. Of course, as usual, an attempt was made by the Government to gracefully accept the situation and "eat humble pie," in order, if possible, to avoid odium. But it did not require the exercise of extraordinary perspicacity to see that the Government had b.een taken unawares, and that they, in their dilemnja, made & clumsy, incautious, and lame attempt to extrjiaate themselves from the difficulty, that had so unexpectedly arisen. There was a small panic in the Government ranks. The occupants of the Treasury ISenches threw off the hmgour and nonchalance of security for active anxiety. They did not dread the no-confidence debate, the result of which was a foregone conclusion not favorable to the Opposition. But an unseen enemy had outflanked them, and the best possible generalship was absolutely necessary in order that they might not too clearly display hitherto unobserved vulnerability. It is a pity ts>y the Government that they failed to exeroise a <jusility. that would have been so valuable to them ,und,er the circumstances. The Minister for Public S blundered, and the Premier was not happy p hjts attempt to dissipate the: unfavorable impressions caused by his erratic colleague. There can be no doubt that the Government .expected .the House to-l;e satisfied with the bare report laid on the table. But,; under pressure of a majority of the House liament tjbie country in possession jof tfre,

evidence, arid give those charged with grave offences amounting to„. criminality, a fiance. 6f ezi^li^i^>'t£emielveßi' V .(-This is- as it should ; be. Iti is. nonsense to "• talk of the possible necessity for suppressing portions of the evidence for the sake of; subordinates. v . What .value can be set. upon the evidence of m§n who unbosomed themselves on the understanding that their names should not be divulged. We do not positively say that they have been guilty of misrepresentations, but it, is not impossible that amongst them there may be those who were emboldened to lay charges that will not stand the test of daylight. What an opportunity such secrecy would offer to an erring and punished subordinate to take satisfaction out of his superior ! What a chance there would be of perpetrating a gross injustice against a deserving and faithful officer. We say that if it is iinfair to publish the evidence, it is just as unfair that Mr. Conyers' honor should be impugned. The Commission was appointed by Ministers, and the whole of their report including evidence is public property. We hope, therefore, that nothing will be kept back. Let us know all; and if any man in the service has betrayed his trust, let him be punished—if not, let his character be cleared of aiiy of tlie damaging imputations laid to his charge.