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Thames Star, Volume XI, Issue 3594, 3 July 1880, Page 2

Judging from the statement of the Colonial Treasurer and the recent actions of the Administration, it i.s evident that no small modicum of the policy of the Hall Government will be re trenchment. Mr Reader Wood's speech the other day shows, were that gentleman's ideas carried out, he would oat-Herod the Government in this respect, making far more sweeping reductions than ever dreamt of by Major Atkinson. Ever since the gentle Wood's treachery to his party, and his subsequent disappointments, he has been striking out a new and virtuous line of conduct, probably ia

hope of making amends Cor his past crookedness. We arc ii"t. inolined to think that no good tiling can come out of Nazareth, and many of Mr Wood's proposals are worthy of . attention. He thinks, for instance, that the office of Agent General should be abolished, and io this respect we are one with him. Assisted. immigration being practically at an end, the principal duties of such a functionary are at an end, and in the crippled state of our finances, the large sums annually expended on the Agent-Creneral's Department might well be saved. We lik-wise agree with Mr Wood that the honorariums of both branches of the Legislature should bo reduced, end, indeed, in our idea all that the legislators should expect from the public funds should be their bare expenses. As the matter now stands, many frugal M's.H.R. manage to lire rery comfortably on their 200 guineas per annum. We have no doubt but that the proposals will receive the attention they deserve, and in conclusion let us remind our legislators that economy, Hke charity, should begin at home.