The Temuka Leader SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 1880.

Temuka Leader, Issue 314, 6 November 1880, Page 2

The Temuka Leader SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 1880.

Ik another column will be found some strictures upon the American Government way of managing the insurance business. The remarks does not inaptly apply to the New Zealand Government Life Assurance. The excuse put forth by the Ccmmissioner—Mr D. M. Luckie—for not declaring a bonus is a very lame one indeed, and until his statements are verified by facts, and proved before the members at the next meeting of th« General Assembly, we are not prepared to endorse his statemet that insurance in his department is more fairly, or more jußtly, dealt with than in the Australian Mutual Provident Society, which is always fair and above board, and keeps its promise to its supporters. We fear the present New Zealand Government are with this, as in most pther cages, more ready to make statements than it is to back them up by facts. One thing is evident ; the Government has had the most ample opportunities of proving that it is the best and safest for the people of this colony to deal with, but have, by its apathy, cooled down many of its supporters, and driven away others, who, if a bonus had been declared, however small, would have given the Government credit for dealing honestly, and probably, as a corsequeuce, would have continued to give it their support. It is a pity that one after another of the interests of the public are being sacrificed by men incapable of conducting the business of this important Colony. Week after week, and month after month, new disclosures are being made of the selfisb schemes of the various members j indeed it may truly be said no Government that has existed in New Zealand has ever been so much distrusted ag the present one, and, somehow or other, all its attempts at saving oil the one hand are overbalanced by the unnecessary ex; enditure on the qther. f' That the colony is going to the dogs " is the usual expression made use of by business people, and the reason for tins is not far to seek. The" heayy Governmental expenses go on, anl eyen in the Life Insurance Department it is questionable if the per centage named does the work. It is more than possible retrenchment is needed here also, but people have not

pointed to this branch of the Government business, consequently the extravagance c,oes on. At any rate if the Government is in a position to declare a bonu , it should do so, and rot wreck a valuable institution.