A HOT REBUKE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 71, 10 August 1912, Page 5

A HOT REBUKE.

MR. FISHER GETS VIGOROUS. ('By Telegraph—Own Correspondent.) Wellington, Last Night. The debate on the Budget to-night 'had a, somewhat sensational ending. The Hon. F. M. B. Fisher waxed warm in concluding liia speech. Ho asked Mr. G. W. Russell, who preceded him, whether he was in favor of the continuance of a system, under which the Cabinet had decided that the whole of the business of a State department in a certain town was to be given to a particular firm. He had asked for the file in reference to the matter, and it could not be found. In answer to a question, Mr. Fisher said that the firm he alluded to was that of McAJister, a lawyer in Invcrcargill. The whole of the insurance business was to be given to that firm, and the head of the Department had written to him stating that it was in the interest of the State that that restriction should be removed. He had communicated with the head of the Department, stating that he was to run the Department as a business concern, regardless of political considerations and restrictions. As to the matter lie had first alluded,to, lie was told that the file had been lost in the Prime Minister's office. "That sort of thing is going to stop," added the Minister. "It is not going on any longer. Tenders are not going to be received and opened by the Government in secret. We are not going to call for public tenders and accept a tender and renew it from time to time to the complete satisfaction of one member of a firm. That sort of thing is to stop. This Government as determined, so far as lies in its power, to give all the aid it can to the email local bodies which are unable to raise the money required for their purposes, as against the larger bodies, which are able to go on the open market. In the public service merit and length of service are to be taken into consideration, and the mere fact that a member of the public service is related to some person in the House or the Cabinet is going to weigh no longer with members of the administration. The fact that one civil servant can go out of .the country and get leave on full pay while another civil servant cannot get leave of absence unless without pay, or that, relationship is going to count, will also stop. Many members will be sorry to hear that we are determined to carry out this policy. I believe that the party has in. determination to do the proper and straight thing, and give, as the Prime Minister said, every man a fair and square deal. If we arc to be succeeded in the future by another administration, I can only hope that it will be by one that wants'to,see the country progress on democratic lines. J hope, when we are succeeded it will iwit be by a party that .is- broke, by a party that is filled with bitterness, anger, and vexation at having lost the power to distribute -the spoils of office, but by a party that has national aspirations and is desirous of doing the best thing.for the country at all costs and at all times." (Applause.)