The Waikato Argus GEORGE EDGECUMBE, Proprietor. THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 1899.

Waikato Argus, Volume VII, Issue 517, 23 November 1899, Page 2

The Waikato Argus GEORGE EDGECUMBE, Proprietor. THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 1899.

The telegram from our Otorohanga correspondent, which appears in another column, should command the attention of every elector in the colony. It depicts an unique system of electioneering, one that would be impossible in any country, the people of which had not suffered SeddonistnorTammany for a lengthy period. It is a well-known fact that co-operative works are always prosecuted vigorously in certain electoral districts previous to a general election, thus giving the Government a number of votes for their candidate. It is equally well known that after the election the works are found by the Government not to be so urgent as they were previously considered, and the men have been discharged and told to look for work elsewhere. In the case in question a reduction was made, by an official or Minister, in the pay of the men working in the King Country. This, we understand, was in order to equalise the rate paid in the North with that earned by co-operative labourers in the South. This official may understand his business as an engineer or controller of a department, or he may not. Be this as it may, Dr. Hosking, the candidate for the seat concerned, with the assistance of a Mr Shaw, who is stated to be an expert, have found that the Department were treating the men bcadly and their wages . are to be restored to the old tariff. The difference between the two rates of pay has to be borne by the country, in order that the co-operative men may be kept sweet till after the elections, and we are not told who is to bear the cost of the visit of Mr Shaw, the expert. We do not believe, however, that the trick will have the desired effect, The men will, of course, take as much pay as they can get, small blame to them, but those of them who are conversant with the history of co-operative works will know that the increase is only a bribe, and that so soon as the elections are over they will in all probability be sent about their business.

The funniest part of the affair is the announcement made by Mr Greshnm on behalf of the Liberal League, who said he was authorised to state that the price of road works which had been recently reduced would at be increased and maintained. The connection between the rate of wages and electoral tactics is perfect. Mr Gresham nade his statement after Dr. Hosking's meeting as an additional inducement to the co-opera-tive men to vote for the Government candidate. Surely this statement should in common decency have come to the men from the Engineer in charge of the work and not from an entirely irresponsible man, who happens to belong to a very noisy and unscrupulous body of men who are banded together under the title of a Liberal League. If the head of the Public Works Department has been cognisant that this unseemly proceeding was about to take place, he has neglected one of his duties, which is to safeguard the honour and self respect of the officials who serve under him, but under the Seddon administration no man is safe in his billet who is not prepared to make all considerations subservient to the overpowering end and aim of the Government to secure votes, honestly if possible, but to secure them.