RETRENCHMENT.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2181, 28 March 1891, Page 2

RETRENCHMENT.

Inspectoe Thompson’s dismissal has created a certain degree of excitement in Oemaru. One party is getting up a petition asking the Q-o?ernment to retain his services, while another party is petitioning to dismiss him. The party in favor of Inspector Thompson being retained are political opponents of the Government, those who want to dismiashimare Goverumentsupporters. Between the two we do not think Inspector Thompson has much chance of being reinstated. The party opposed to Inspector Thompson have not a word tosayagainsthim, They say they have nothing whatsover to say against Mr Thompson, and that their sole and only reason for opposing him is that be is not wanted. Retrenchment is necessary and to carry out retrenchment he must retire. For our own part we have condemned the retrenchment which has been effected in the police department, but now that it has been effected we trust the Government will adhere to it and not do such a foolish thing as withdraw from the position they have already taken up. If they were to retrace their steps they would be looked upon with contempt by both parties. We are not all satisfied with the retrenchment in the police department, but we should be less satisfied if the Government were to go back on it now, as it would betray indecision of character sufficient to create general mistrust in their administrative capacity. The peculiar feature of this affair is that the supporters of the late Government are the very people who are loudest in their denunciation of retrenchment now. The cause of this is not far to seek. They fondly hoped the present Government would resort to extravagance, or at least allow room for accusing them of it, which of course would do just as well. The present Government have begun by adopting a retrenchment policy, and thus robbed them of their trump card. This has made them very angry, and hence the outcry against retrenchment. And yet people are so simple that they believe there are not two parties in New Zealand politics.