MR. BALLANCE'S LEGACY.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume IX, Issue 2815, 4 February 1888, Page 2

MR. BALLANCE'S LEGACY.

We have always been averse to raking up old scores against past Governments. When a Minisfcryhave been defeated, they, have got their quittanoe, and there is nothing to be gained as a rule by "oxposiug eoandals," or otherwise slaying the slain. For this reason we commended the moderation of the new Ministry last session, when they contented themselves with making the best of things as they found them, and abstained, against the wish of their more impetuous supporters, from making oapital out of the maladministration of their predecessors. In this they presented an honorable contrast to the Stout-Vogel Ministry, who signalised their accession to office by covering their opponents with charges of jobbery and corruption, and did not even spare the character of men who had only been Ministers for three • days. There are some matters, however, which, ought not to be overlooked or hidden away, merely because there has been a change of Ministry. I For th,esaj» of. nublio example, and

for the. "political guidance of the • ■. country in the future, it is right and necessary that wrong-doings should be made 'known, especially those by which the control of : the people over the expenditure of their own money is affected/ It will be remembered / that last session it was showJiJhat a H, sum of £40,000 had .been' Iffit on & Defence purposes: without ■ any Parliamentary authority. The late Colonial Treasurer was obliged to admit that this' - .was so, ; and the late Defence Minister,-..Mr Ballance, held his tongue about it, as ho did about a good many other awkward subjects. The new Ministry, while drawing attention to it, as they were bound to do, did not enlarge upon it at all spitefully, and it wag authorised in due course with thsslier appropriations for which they Had .provided ways and means. It now appears, however, that this was not all. The Government have just received a bill from England for £20,000 more for defence purposes, which has been incurred without a shadow of authority. What is worse, there is not.a scrjfo,of writing in any of the office?/1/k6 to show how or why or when it was done. Mr Ballance seems to have taken the most extraordinary liberties with Mb Ministerial responsibility. He not only squandered tens of thousands without any authority of Parliament, but he did so without leavMu any record of the transaction. tfWfacts which have already come; to light regarding his dealings are quite sufficient to mark him as a manually unfit to be trusted, withpower; and' nobody knows how much there is yet to come. We need hardly say that the Government, who have cut their coat strictly according, to their-cloth, as. regards ways and means, are somewhat nonplussed by these totally unexpected demands. Mr Ballance has left a fine legacy of liabilities and, scandals,— Evening Press. ••'....