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Southland Times, Volume 2, Issue 96, 2 October 1863, Page 2

We have before us a paper showing the estimated revenue and expenditure ol the Province of Southland for the twelve months ending 30th Sept, 1863. Times are very considerably altered since this document passed through the printer's hands. From various causes, the Province has progressed far more rapidly than there was any reason in those days to suppose would be the case. There is a far laTger fixed population, and, besides that, we have a continuous streamof immigration flowing in from the neighboring colonies, which, although it does not take up a permanent residence amongst us, contributes, duriug its stay, fo tbe revenue, and requires governing. It is necessary, for the credit of the Province, that this same process of governing should be earned on — not extravagantly, but in such a manner that the employes may be able to live, keep up appearances, and save or spend money, as the case may be, in an equally rapid manner as the subordinates in private offices. Thej cannot do so with the salaries at which they are rated in the sheet before us. The Superintendent's Clerk does not get as much as would be given elsewhere for the same services — services, by the bye, which stand a chance of being rather largely increased during the next twelve months. The Messenger in the Superintendent's office is rated at the yearly value of one hundred pounds, and the Superintendent's Clerk ought surely to command four times such an allowance. But the Chief himself is underpaid, and it matters not whether he prefers that such

should be the' ca'se> For the credit of the ' Province, th-e Council should express a strong .opinion on the subject, and vote a very considerable increase. We «do -not wish to be under, stood to -say : t!ha't every Scrotfe'lawd Government officer, of whatever .grade and in w-featever office, is underpaid, because dcrobtless cases could be found Jn which the money is more than worth the man-; bat we are looking at the scale, generally, and if we dp not go through the list seriatim, the reason is that space compels us to be as brief as possible. Government pay should in no case be below the average ; the \ public service requires exraal energy, talent, and general efficiency with any other service, and the economy which will cut down to the lowest farthing the *** screw" of a trustworthy aad hard working man is wrong in principle, and, if persisted in, must- eveataate in loss to the Province generally. There is always a difficulty, in lauds where gold is to be had for the digging, iv classifying the value of labor — either manual or otherwise — but that is no reason why the attempt should not be made. House-rent, firewood, food, clothing, everything is dear in Invereargill, and, outside the Government buildings, salaries are already beginning to accommodate themselves to the altered condition of the Province. If the colonists wish their work to be done well, they must insist upon Government officials sharing in an equal manner in the general prosperity.