Wairarapa Daily Times. [Established 1874.] MONDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 1895. PENNY IN THE SLOT.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XVI, Issue 4948, 11 February 1895, Page 2

Wairarapa Daily Times. [Established 1874.] MONDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 1895. PENNY IN THE SLOT.

I'rra penny in the slot, and take your packet of sweets! Who has not seen these mechanical contrivances, and who has not ventured flic copper and taken possession of the delectable packet \ The penny is dropped into the slot with the full knowledge of what the result will be, It is upon this principle, that (lie Sedilon Government, set up a Commission, and the Ministry show a childish pleasure in this penny in the slot system of Covernmont. There was the notorious "l'V Commission, when a junior Civil Sorvantwas set to bunt up a verdict. Ministers were in full possession of all Die facts that were brought out befoic the " Fox " Commissioner, and could have arrived at any decision they pleased, but tlicy

preferred to put tlio penny in flic slot, to got the packet tlioy wanted. Then we had the famous Ponnthaka Committee, which was virtually a Commission. Here, again, tlie Jlinistci'S obtained their packet of sweets. A Commission is to he set up over (he Horowhenuu ]Jloek, and Ministers alone know ivliat good is to result from (his, All possible information that can be obtained about this matter, is now jn the pigeon holes, but to act upon this • knowledge, is repugnant to a Liberal Ministry; besides, as the case now. ' stands, there is an unsavoury flavour j about it, which must be worked off, hence a, lloyal Commission. - At Hokitika, the Premier, in j a speecli he delivered there, ( dearly indicated thatincrcased taxa- i Hon would be necessary, or to give 1 his utterances their correct interpretation, the revenue of the Colony t will fall short qf requirements and s must he buttressed with taxation, c furthermore there are certain indus- r trics,more particularly that of binder 1 twine manufacturing, that require c the prop of protection to keep them ? vigorous, and true to the penny-in- • the-slot policy, up jumps the Tariff ' Commission. It is npt a difficult matter to forecast the report of this ' Commission, for every member of it j' with but one exception, we believe, a is pledged up to the hilt to protec- j tion, and their report, must neces- a sarily be in favour of increased (.' customs duties to foster Colonial a industries, No arguments,examples f ' or illustrations, experiences or opin- 6 ions will avail, the Colony must now jj expect to drink the dregs of protection, Then ive have the Royal |j Commission in the person of the G (Hon, J. G. Ward. The first act of tr this peregrinating politican is one of c< senile stupidity;" ! |'hp tfivitf agree- si mcntwilh floiitli Anstealivliich jj reciprocal arrangements with the other Colonies is impossible, and is to tho least of it the acme of abisiirdijiy. it jvould, if carried out, be sc £ positive Toss'tfl ijje .Colony for it

would compel us to maintain customs barriers against move powerful neighbours, The treaty, arranged with houtli Australia by our roving Colonial Treasurer, is so very peculiar that we are tempted to enquire into the personal equation which underlies the matter. A cursory gliiwio at the exports to South Australia is sufficient to show that the cereal dealers of Southland will reap the full benefit of the treaty. fho Royal Commission business is being very much overdone by the Ministry, and the transparency of then 1 intentions in setting up commissions is sickening. There has been no real need for any of the Commissions, except perhaps the Tin-ill Commission, but knowing that the members composing it are merely Tiirilf toi'turci's, Ihcir labour is discounted. The Colony might well huve been saved a considerable amount of unnecessary expense, but the country hail to line! a penny to be dropped into the slot, so that Ministers could obtain their policy packet of sweets.