THE Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR O'CLOCK P.M. Resurrexi. FRIDAY, JANUARY 21, 1881.

Thames Star, Volume XII, Issue 3765, 21 January 1881, Page 2

THE Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR O'CLOCK P.M. Resurrexi. FRIDAY, JANUARY 21, 1881.

The good citizens of New Zealand have of late been surfeited with commissions. There have been Commissions on this, that, and the other, and the Commissioners have been royally feasted, fed, and fattened at the expense of the New Zealand taxpayer. The process of Government, by Eoyal Commission is rone which is not at all relished by the people, who have in many cases good cause to object to the stamp of men appointed to enquire into their wants and grievances. In many "cases —and it may be almost said in Blithe Government have app jinted men who are totally unfitted for the duties in connection with the matter to be "Commissioned," but who are appointed to do such work and receive public pay for so doing through motives of policy, as it is as well to indirectly bribe, certain influential men, in order to make sure of their votes. A short time ago, as our readers are aware, Mr Seed, Secretary and Inspector of Customs, , and Mr Batkin, AssistantController, Treasury Department, were appointed a Commission to investigate into the working of the various Government Departments, with a view to ascertain whether farther reductions and amalgamation of officer can be effected in the Civil Service, and with a view to increased retrenchment. Mr Seed paid a visit to the Thames a few days ago, but what the result of his mission will be will probably not be known until he has made his report- to the Government. Auckland has also, been visited by this .gentleman, and she is to be further favoured with two other Commissions" (for which she will no doubt be thankful). One is composed of Mr Brook field, solicitor, and Mr H T. Kemp, late Civil Service Commissioner. Its sitting will take place on tbe Ist proximo, its mission being to inves igate and report on certain alleged native land claims made'ou lands i iv the vicinity' of Eangiawhia and else* where within the confiscated bouudary.

The third Commission is composed of Colonel Haultain and Mr Williams, late Resident Magistrate, Bay of Islands. It appears that Mr Verooe and others made some advances on a block near Maketu, East Coast, which the Government has elected to acquire. The object of the Commission is to ascertain and report upon the claims thus made for compensation upon the Government. If the money squandered in Koyal Commissions were only used in the. formation of roada aud bridges in those places where there is immediate necessity for them, it would be far better than wasting it in-compara tively useless and enormously expensive Commissions.