GHOST OF A DEAD COMMISSION.

Patea Mail, 22 July 1880, Page 3

GHOST OF A DEAD COMMISSION.

If any person aqnainted with the political history of the past few weeks, were present in the House last evening, he must have marvelled greatly at what he saw and heard. The occasion evidently was one of importance There was a large attendance of members—the galleries were tilled. An air of expectancy pervaded all parts of the House. At half-past seven o’clock, a gentleman of earnest mein and serious aspect rose with an air of tremendous import, and solemnly proceeded to deliver—but not from the Treasury Benches—a Ministerial Statement of nearly three hours duration. It was listened to with interest, the sincerity of which was quite unmistakeablc. At its conclusion it was attacked by members of the Opposition, and defended by supporters of the Government. The gentleman who delivered that thrcc-honrs quasi-Ministcrial statement did not hold a scat in the Cabinet. Then what position docs he really occupy? Such a question could only be truthfully answered thus—“ He is the Ghost of a dead Royal Commission !” The royal commission appointed o report on the Civil Service of New Zealand is dead—dead by its own act and deed. It has committed suicide—possibly under the influence of temporary aberration, but tbe case looks more like one of “fdodcscl The poor earthly remains of that defunct Commission—its report—sole relic of what was once so fair and beautiful, has been roughly mauled by profane bands, and rudely kicked by sacrilegious feet. It is denied even the grace of decent burial and peaceful oblivion. It lies to the unpitying gaze of gods and men—“a.slovenly unhandsome corse! ” But now the ghost of that defunct Commission arises within the walls of Parliament —an avenging spectre. Post,