THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE MINISTRY.

Waikato Argus, Volume IV, Issue 277, 21 April 1898, Page 2

THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE MINISTRY.

The following is the full text of the portion of Sir R. Stout's article in the Review of Reviews, which appears under the above head-line : The administration of the Ministry wiil furnish much matter for discussion both in the country and in the Parliament. The Ministry is accused of having adopted as one of the planks of its political platform the policy of " Spoils to the Victors." Who would have thought Mr Marcey's phrase during the Jackson administration would have be« come a common one in New Zealand to-day? Districts are said to be specially favoured in accordance with their political opiuion6 and the Eupport their member gives to the Ministiy. Offices are bestowed on recipients, not because of merit, but because of their political creed or that of their friends and supporters. The provisions of the Civil Service Reform Act of ISB6 have been set aside to allow of such a policy being carried out. Many of those who support the Ministry do not deny the existence of political corruption. They defend it. The excuses offered are generally that corruption, more or less, has always existed in the administration of the affairs of the colony, and that as democracy is undergoing a process of evolution, this corruption cannot at once be elimiuated and that the legislative gains to the workers are worth the price - of political corruption The stirring of the political conscience has, however, begun. In the two bye-elections that have taken place since the general election the Ministerial candidates have been beaten by large majorities, and it was round the question of purity of administration as against political corruption that the battles were fought. " Honesty versus Tammany " was put on the political "dodgers" that were scattered broadcast throughout the Wellington electorate, as if that were the question the electors had to decide. It often happens that & small and trivial event hastens a political change. The charges made by the Premier for his trip to Hobart last year and his trip to the Jubilee celebrations, being so much in excess of the charges of the Australian Premiers, have created much opposition to the Ministry. The fact is easily grasped, and it does not permit of denial or discussion. It is taken as an illustration merely of the extravagance and maladministration of the Ministry, and, as such, has had a very prejudicial effect on their popularity. The conduct of the Premier, too, in personally canvassing during elections and uaiug all the arts and tricks of the expert canvasser has shocked many who were formerly Ministerialists.