NOTES.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2387, 26 July 1892, Page 2

NOTES.

The financial debate drags its weary length along. The Government and their supporters ought to do as they did on the debate on the Address-in-Reply, that is, allow the Opposition to do all the talking and say nothing. They have no occasion to say anything; no one has said anything to hurt them, their financial policy appears to be invulnerable, not a*hole has been picked in it, and consequently it is only waste of time for them to reply to wild unfounded statements. Still, perhaps, they may as well record in Hansard the truth, so as to counteract the influence of falsehood. There can be no doubt as to what the Opposition are aiming at, they want to crowd into Hansard false statements so that they may be able to make use of them at election times. That is the object In view, and perhaps it is as well that they should be contradicted.

The Honorable Mr Ward, Post-master-General of New Zealand was attacked last Friday night by Mr Fish, but it only succeeded in placing him in a position in which all men will do him more honor. As we have already shown, Mr Ward did not take any salary for the work he has done as Postmaster-General, but this was not enough. Mr Fisii abused him, and said he made up a salary by claiming travelling allowance when on his own private business between Invercargill and Wellington, and also that his private secretary, who was kept by him in Invercargill cost an immense sum to the country. Mr Ward explained that he had not taken one penny travelling allowance on these occasions, and that his private secretary cost the country nothing while staying in Invercargill. No doubt Mr Ward keeps him in his own house. Now is it not painful to see a mean, contemptible, mercenary crowd abusing a man like Mr Ward. They are not fit to clean his boots they ought to lift their hats and do honor to him as the only politician New Zealand has seen, who has, as regards mercenary motives, proved himself to be like Ciesar’s wife, above suspicion. Compare him with Mr Rolleston, who denounced the Government for providing the honorarium, and was the first to grab it. Mr Ward is a man of whom New Zealand ought to be proud, Commencing life as a telegraphist, he has raised himself to be a’ very wealthy man—so wealthy, that he can afford to dispise a salary of BrtOO a year and travelling allowance. But his wealth has not made a snob of him : he still boasts of being of the people, and be sympathises with them, and }s giving them Ins services for nothing, jijvgr since he has entered politics in LSB7 every vote lie has given lins been on the Liberal side but it is not necessary to say more The very fact that he lias given his services as a liberal Minister without reward is in.co.nU-sf jblc proof of the genuineness of his Liberalism. His own actions speak more than pen can write on this point. Then why *l m ld not the Liberals show him that they app*eciffte Ids generous conduct and noble selt-sacisc,e V It would be no more than what he Let them get up a testimonial to him; Jet the subscription be limited to one shilling ; Jet all parts of New Zealand be given an opportunity of subscribing, and let it be thoroughly patiOTH; e have suggested to limit the subscription to one shilling because we know he does not Avant money, but no doubt he would be very pleased to find that flip party for whom he is working appreciate Ips effort, while it would be an effective reply tq UjQse who are now abusing him. We have pleasure in suggesting this to the Liberal organisations throughout the cqiqf,y j apuj hope that it will be taken up.

The Auckland Star says “ The more carefully the Financial Statement, just submitted to Parliament by lion. Mr Ballance, is studied, the deeper becomes HfC jippression that it is the soundest and most encouraging record of assured safety and steady progress made for many years. In every department of administration it set.s fqrth, in plain and lucid terms, the highly satisfactory results of a wise and fearless policy. The dismal pi'e r dictions of Interested or jgporant prophets, made eight or nine months ago, have been falsified by events, mere nightmare dreams, unpleasant enopgh to the distempered dreamers, bpi doing pobQdy else much harm.”