South Canterbury Times, SATURDAY, JUNE 26, 1880.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2270, 26 June 1880, Page 2

South Canterbury Times, SATURDAY, JUNE 26, 1880.

Tiik position of “ our lords” is an exceedingly lucrative one. At a time when the colony is crying out about hard times and the Treasury soup kitchens are about to be withdrawn from the local bodies “ our lords” arc in the full enjoyment of the loaves and fishes. Destitution may reign without, but within the precincts of the Legislative Council all is financial serenity. “ Our lords” from their comfortable quarters deplore the bad times. They open their proceedings with apparently devout pra}'ers for prosperity coupled with the maintenance of law and order. If the next wool clip or the approaching lambing season enters into their most fervent meditation it finds no expression. These secret yearnings—combined with the outspoken incense of the soul—are probably but a part of the performance which in spite of its pccuniaiy difficulties, the country purchases at a somewhat alarming cost. Does it occur to “ our lords” that besides being a salutary check on hasty and indiscreet legislation they are also a severe burden on the community ? In the midst of their solemn devotions and fervid paternosters have they ever reflected that a slight amount of self-sacrifice on their part would go far to obviate the widely prevailing destitution from which the colony is suffering ? Docs it not strike them as somewhat anomalous that the entire burden of maintaining'charitable institutions should be cast upon the people, while such a magnificent refuge as the Legislative Council is supported out of the consolidated revenue ?

Let ns glance fur a moment at the position of “ our lords.” In certain respects they are a weak imitation of the feudal princes of Great Britain. Once appointed they arc pensioners for life. The principal ditl'crencc between a New Zealand lord and a British nobleman is, that the titles and privileges of the former arc not, like the king’s evil, hereditary. In other ways, however, a New Zealand lord is about as great an infliction as his British prototype. He lives moves, and has his being in an atmosbere guarded by barbarous privileges. Although in the pay of the people he is beyond the control of the people. Practically, he is irresponsible for what he thinks or does. His moments, however useless to others, are precious to himself, for they have to be paid for. The Civil Service, with all its departmental sinecures boasts nothing that can approach the sinecures enjoyed by our lords. The seasons and times may be prosperous or adverse—their harvests are never affected. They sow nothing yet they reap abundantly. Poverty like a wolf may watch the door, but he dare not enter the Council Chamber. “Our lords” are above the influences of commercial depression. The screw may be applied to the taxpayers or the civil servants, ministers may even condescend to I’educe their own salaries, but the honorariums of “ our* lords” must not be touched. Half the revenue of the colony may be pledged to foreign bondholders, retrenchment may be carried out at the expense of every other institution in the colony, but“ our lords” must be paid.

A House of Lords in New Zealand is undoubtedly ornamental, and to some extent it is undoubtedly useful, though sometimes, owing to natural perversity, it is mischievous. But it may be made too costly. At the present time -while the taxpayers are groaning under the weight that is imposed on them, there arc fifty nominees for life, drawing away the sweets of the treasury. These fifty spurious lords, for an average of three hours work per day, during four days in each week, extending over a period of rarely more than twenty weeks, receive an honorarium that varies from £2OO to £416. Last year they drew the latter amount, and this session the amount is not likely to bo less than £250. Each of “ our lords ” is consequently paid at the rate of £1 per hour for the time he devotes to legislation. And how is this time spent ? It would be unfair to say that it is absolutely wasted, A good deal of it is devoted by “ our lords ” to the protection of their own interests. Such things as rabbit extermination, diseases in sheep and fencing and impounding and branding bills, figure prominently in their thanksgiving services. The beer tax and tobacco duties arc matters of plebeian concern, and “ our lords ” take no interest in them. During the past few days they have been severely distressed over the Deceased Wife’s Sister Bill and Deceased Husband’s Brother Bill, and we are told that they have expressed their feelings in language not

altogether aristocratic or parliamentary. The fact that so much attention should be devoted to deceased wife’s sisters and husband’s brothers proves incontestably that the time of “ our lords ” is not very valuable, and that they must be terribly in want of something 1 to keep up the mild excitement. The measures over which they «re expending their wrath might be of some consequence in a country like Groat Britain, where the population is numerous, but in a colony like this, where the community is a small one, and the number of families that would, be affected by legislation of this kind is probably very harmless, these exertions of “ our lords ” arc really most uncalled for. New Zealand requires something more lively than deceased wife’s sisters and defunct husband’s brothers to rally its commerce and restore new life to its industrial resources, and if “our lords” cannot find something better to squabble over than dead relations, it is desirable that the high price now paid for their not very valuable services should receive consideration. The honorarium paid to “ our lords ” is neither more nor less than a grave reflection on the honesty and competence of our legislature, and the colony should demand that if the scissors is going to be applied to government departments the Government should begin with tire top branch of the public service—the charming aristocratic exotic which is receiving so much nourishment from the public treasury —the New Zealand House of Lords.