The Temuka Leader. TUESDAY, OCTOBER 4, 1892. FINE POINTS.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2407, 4 October 1892, Page 2

The Temuka Leader. TUESDAY, OCTOBER 4, 1892. FINE POINTS.

A CAisLEiiitAM yesterday morning states ,that Sir Julius Vogel is of opinion that the Government ought not to have resigned when the Governor refused to accept their advice, and he commends the Marquis ofliipon's decision in upholding the contention of the New Zealand Government with regard to the Legislative Council appointments. It does not matter to us a great deal who is wrong or right in this matter. Let the lawyers and the politicians wrangle over these fine points of constitutional niceties, what we have to consider is the broad,siinple question of what is the best for the colony. If the Government had resigned there would have been a general election, a double session, and a tremendous waste of money. The colony would besides have been injured by the disturbing influences attendant on party strife in an appeal to the country. The Government have saved us from all this, and settled the matter quietly and effectually, and that we think is better than to follow the course indicated by their opponents.

Still there are laws governing all these questions, and- these laws are on the side of the Government. The law is, according to Todd, Anson, and others, that the Government should not have resigned, and that the Governor was bound to accept their advice or dismiss them. It was not the business of the Government to resign, but it was the business of the Governor to dismiss them, and to ask Parliament to appoint other Ministers in their place. That is the law *«cording to the best authorities, and 1 .-•-" as , not done what could the ' n " A '" • but appeal to some Government u u , ■ ■ j A „ +i , . ' , . *M.v, as the one who knew his u. i ■ rpy s Governor evidently did not. they did. They appealed to the fountain head—the source and origin of all constitutional usage and then their contention Avas upheld. In the face of these facts what can Mr Rollestou expect to gain by all the "flap-doodle" he is talking in connection with this matter ? Does he think the average elector will stop to examine these fine points of constitutionalism ? He certainly will not. He will only say, " Thpnk goodness the Government saved us from the expenses, cost, and annoyance of a general election, and also double pay, and a double session." That is what the average elector will say, and he will think a great deal less of Mr Rolleston for scandalously wasting time in the way he has done. The Government have saved the colony from expense ; that is the main thing, and for this we ought all feel thankful.

INSURANCE COMPANIES. Srit Jruii.s VonEr, disngrees with the New Zealand Government in exacting from the Insurance Companies securities for the fulfilment of their engagements. We have a good deil of respect for Sir Julius Vogel, but we do not set any great value on his opinion on this matter. There are in this colony a large number of foreign insurance companies doing business, and the public have no real guarantee that in the event of being called upon they are in a position to pay. Resides, the fact that the management is in foreign countries increases the risk. Let us suppose, for instance, a poor man got judgment against one of these companies for the amount of his insurance, where'are the effects to seise

upon '? Nowhere in the colony, so far as we know; he might have to go to England, or Australia, or somewhere else, to look after them ; but that might involve costs beyond his ability to pay, and what then ? In the debate on the question in Parliament several speakers referred to a case in Wellington in which the insured person found it difficult to get his money, or did not get. it at all. The speakers only hinted at the matter, without mentioning any names, so we have not the full particulars of the case. Now the Government, to secure the public against the danger of being victimised in this way, have introduced a measure to compel the insurance companies to lodge a certain amount with the public trustee of the colony, so that it might be available in case of necessity. The Government insist on Fire Insurance Companies lodging £25,000, and Life Insurance Companies £IO,OOO, either in money or in approved security, and on this they will allow interest at the rate of 4 per cent, per annum. Sir Julius Vogel says these sums are too small, and we quite agree with him, but half a loaf i? better than no bread.

Now looking at this from an honest common-sense point of vievv.and putting all party considerations aside, one cannot help feeling astonished, at anyone opposing so reasonable a proposal. The wonder to us is that this precaution has not been taken long ago, and we have no hesitation in saying that previous Governments have neglected their duty so far. And what now will be thought of Mr llolleston and his followers who denounce this reasonable and sensible measure, and want the country to believe that it means borrowing? It has been repeatedly explained that the government have no power to use it without getting the authority of Parliament, and Mr Ward, the PostmasterGeneral said it would be used in lending money to farmers at a low rate of interest. Need we say that this is at the bottom of the whole thing; need we say that the monev-lenders in Parliament are simply afraid that by this means the Government will reduce the rate of interest. That is the secret of the Opposition, and yet these are the friends of the farmers. They can have no other cause for opposing so desirable a thing; in fact, it is a disgrace that no guarantee has been demanded from these Insurance Companies long ago, and no sane man ought to object to them giving the public security that they are in a position to pay when called upon to do so.