THE NEW HOUSE.

Waimate Daily Advertiser, Volume IV, Issue 290, 2 December 1902, Page 3

THE NEW HOUSE.

Until the opening of Parliament, when members will have an opportunity of expressing their views, the voting strength of the Government Party will remain unsettled. Naturally, the Government claim to have as good a majority as ever and to be highly satisfied with the " continued adherence of the people to the Liberal policy." However, if instead of accepting a partisan statement we examine the figures of the late ballot, it will be found that out of 75 representatives the Government secured 45 seats, and the' Opposition and Independent 30. The 1899 elections (for 70 representatives) resulted in the return of 51 Government and 19 Opposition and Independent. Of 19 members who lost their seatß at the late election, 12 were Government supporters and 7 Opposition and Independent, while of 24 new members 18 were Opposition and Independent and 6 were Government. These, surely, are significant enough for anyone, and point unmistakably to the fact that the 1899 Elections marked the floodof the present Government's power and that succeeding elections will mark its steady ebb. Truly enough the people are desirous of maintaining the Liberal policy, and none but those who will preserve the great landmarks, of progress made during the rule of the Seddon Government will have the remotest chance of obtaining the reins of power, but the Government of the future will have to adapt itself to new methods. For the last few years we have floated along comfortably, borrowing huge sums and dispensing them with princely hand. As a natural consequence, the Oliver Twist-like cry for more is heard everywhere, and | if the supply runs short the disappointed applicants will turn and rend to pieces the Government on which they have battened so long. Such a state of things is but in accordance with human nature through all the ages past, and as it ■will be through the ages to come. It is denied that the Government is unduly extravagant, and truly it is a hard matter to show it on the Yearly Budget, to such an extent do figures mystify. But let us take a familiar illustration. It is the rule that selected candidates for the

rarious positions in Government Departments shall have passed the Oivil Service examination, and jbundieda of suitable applicants have

complied with this rule before being entered on the list. A greater number have not passed this examination, and yet through political influence they are appointed above J the heads of more suitable applicants. Every Minister, every member and every official in the Government Service is working hard to secure for his son, relative or friend, some position, and appointments are being made regardless of the fact that in many instances there is no work for the youths or girls to do. Such a state of things has long been a public scandal. Yet it continues to exist bpeause so many are interested that they will not speak against it. By this and many similar outlets is the morality of New Zealand's people flowing. Forgetful of the fact that the Government are simply a few of the people and that depletion of the public purse inevitably reacts on themselves, the people take every opportunity to secure full toll of public money for any service rendered and consider the cheating of the country to the extent of a stamp or a few shillings in custom* duties as a right and proper thing. This surely points to the mora] that a Government is merely a reflex of the people and that when the latter refuse to take undue advantages and work for the good of the many rather than the enrich, ment of the few, a higher state of public morality will be inculcated. By many signs it is evident that such a reaction is commencing. During the coming Parliament there should be a strong, able Opposition and its policy should be vigorous retrenchment in every so as to enable every possible shilling to be spent in reproductive public works. It is the opinion of men who are in a position to know the present state of affairs that an Inspector should be appointed with a free hand to go through every Department and ascertain whether there is sufficient work for the hands employed, and that he could save at least £2OOO per year, over and above a salary of £SOO. That being the case (and the estimate appears a low one) the experiment is surely worth trying. There is plenty work for a vigorous Opposi- , tion, let us hopa that they will prove ■ equal to the task.