The Waikato Times

Waikato Times, Volume XV, Issue 1295, 16 October 1880, Page 2

The Waikato Times

Equal and exact justice to all men, Ot whatever state or persuasion, religious or political. Here shall the Press the People's right maintain Unawcd Uy influence and unqribed by gain.

SA TURD A T, OCTOBER 16, 1880.

The amount of twaddle which has been given utterance to on the subject of the reductions in the Civil Service is enough to sicken any sensible man, to whom the necessity for the exerscie of stringent economy must present itself in very strong colors. We will charitably hope that the outcry against the Government proceeds from ignorance, because we should be loth to believe that anyone could desire to see sacrificed to mere party feeling interests which are big with the future welfare of the colony. Day by day, as the announcement of reductions in some particular department is published, do we hear these unreasonable and grotesque howls. One day the Government are trampling on the Public Works employes, and at another time they are sacrificing the police ! Nor is it on pure public grounds that the objections are raised ; it is on behalf of individuals solely ; not because their dismissal will result in prejudicing the common national well-being, but simply because they, being Government servants, have been all along led to expect better treatment, that is constant and well remunerated employment and a comfortable pension to retire upon when a few gray hairs shall have made their appearance on their heads. So long as these absurd ideas exist ; so long as people imagine the conditions surrounding employment in the Civil Service should be different fr^m those which affect the employes of private firms, we fear the machinery of Government will be neither economical nor efficient. The present Government have done much, and contemplate doing very much more towards removing traditions so hurtful and so stupid, and it will go hard with the country if they are checked in their course ; but it is perhaps to the much abused Civil Service Commission that most of the credit attaching to the present reforms is due. There never was a time in .the history of the colony when men were required to examine the condition of things with more acuteness, to judge more impartially, and to speak out with less hesitation than that upon which the Civil Service Commissioners were thrown. If their investigations were not thoroughly exhaustive, they were characterised by considerate care ; their judgment, even were it admitted to be faulty, was, at any rate, clearly unbiassed and uncolored by the remotest tint of party' spirit. There probably never was another public document which has had to bear a fiercer fire of crioicism than the Report of this Commission, and few that have so well withstood the test. From one end of the colony to the other party writers have essayed to tear it to pieces, and yet, notwithstanding, it remains the model upon which the Government, acting for the majority of the people, base the extensive reforms which are now being brought into operation. In relation to the insane cry which has been raised against retrenchment, on the ground of the alleged injustice which it inflicts on the Civil servants, wo cannot do better than quote one or two paragraphs from the concluding portion of the Report. We do this the more readily because in our former remarks upon it the latter part was only lightly . touched on. Under the head of " general reforms in Civil Service to effect economy." The Commissioners write as follows ;

|te«* Spiking of tliose c(e,partnients to if *VbioK^e ha,ve not particularly re- " ferfed, and 'of the ' departments " generally, the first step towards " economy must be the abandon- " ment of all idjias and tradition " that now exist as to the Govern- " ment being required to treat its 11 employes on any different principles " from those which would regulate "a *well-conducte3 establishment of " any large employe? ; and chiefly " that men should be sought for the -" wort required, and not places " sought for the men who have been " trained to expect them. . . . " The prevalent idea, if not the re- " cognised rule, that every person " wlijo iisf called into the Government " service has' obtained a footing 'from " which he cannot be removed, and " which must necessarily lead him '" up to constant, regular promotion, " with very little regard to his own il assiduity and efficiency, and none " whatever to the character )t of the " duties upon which he is > engaged or 11 which n6 has qualified himself to u perform, has not' only removed one " of the strongest incentives to effort " which lead men to aspire to ex- ** cellence, but has indefinitely and " progressively increased the cost of " Government A neces- " sary, and only a necessary, nura- <{ ber of officers promoted to a com<f manding position for their superior " qualities would be a most valuable *' element in an 1 y service' , and salaries " sufficient ' to retain such services " must be paid The " first step towards economy should *' be to arrange for all work to " be performed by men who do not " despise it as beneath their best " attention, nor expect the colony to " pay more for it than it is worth." " Really moral or " legal claims on the Government " by existing office-holders must of " course be recognised, but there " should be no hesitation in disre- " garding mere suppositious or " traditional claims, and no attempt " made to retain men at high salaries " to perform clerical work requiring "no exceptional ability. Each posi- " tion in the department should re- " main at a stated salary, and pro- " motion in the Service should mean " removal from a less to a more im- " portant or arduous position, and •' not in any case an increase of salary " for the performance of the same " services." So far then the Commission have discovered the means for working out reform within the Service, but their investigations led them into other fields, and great as were the evils in the service there were many others separate, but arising from the first, and affecting in, perhaps, a larger measure the prosperity of the country. First amongst these is the artificial standard of wages which has been created and maintained since the inauguration of the great Public Works, Policy. " When," say the Commissioners, " we find that a thirteenth " of the adult males in the colony " are in the direct employment of " the Government, in addition to the " large number indirectly employed " through contractors and other " ways, it will be at once obvious " that whatever rates are payed by " the Government must form a " standard by which all those re- " quiring similar services have to be " guided." And so a rate has been fixed which is not based on the law of supply and demand. In illustration of this point the Commissioners publish extracts from letters addressed to them by employers of labor in which the evils arising from the high rates of wages and salaries paid by the Government for unskilled labor are clearly demonstrated. Any honest measures in the direction of rereforming this state of affairs must necessarily confer large benefits no less on employed than employers, because an unhealthily high standard of wages implies that less labor will be employed, and while the day's pay may be higher the aggregate for the week or the month would bo much less than would be the case did a healthier tone pervade the labor market.

English capitalists are at the present sore perplexed to find suitable outlets for their money. Securities of the right sort are neither very numerous nor very cheap, and the consequence is that investors have to choose between what are sure but only moderately remunerative, and those which, while they offer higher rates of interest, are not altogether devoid of risk. Tlie Times of a recent date, referring to the subject, remarks with surprise on the urtprecedentedly high prices of Government stocik, and continues " To take another description of high-class security, English Railway Debenture Stocks, bearing 4 per cent, interest, range at prices at which they will barely pay the investor 3£ per cent. But it would be needless to go through the list, or to fortify the evidence of the dearth of good securities compared with the demand by such facts as the subscription in France for the last Indian loan at a price which will barely yield the investor 4 J per cent. On all sides there is complaint of the small return obtainable for capital invested in securities, and within the memory of the present generation at least there has been no previous time at which there has been so much cause for complaint." Of the causes which have operated to bring about such a state of things, The Times assigns chief place to the circumstance of there having been of late years none of those great economic changes in the condition of

the country, as recur at irregular intervals, such as wars and great enterprises requiring a large outlay of capital. The demand for securities has outrun the supply because of > the indisposition of investors to allow their money to lie idle if for ever so short a time. Nor are there any indications of the cheapening of securities, and investors will, therefore, if they determine to buy high-class stock, have to be content with even lower rates of interest than they are' now receiving. The effects of this condition of affairs on the middle classes cannot easily be guaged. There can be little doubt that their tendency to saving will be, checked, because savings' banks, insurance companies, and thp like will not be in a position to offer isuch high- interest and such bonuses as formerly. Still, on the other hand, the abundance of capital will end in the" raising of salaries and wages, and thus compensation will be afforded. In so far as concerns the colony, we may expect in some measure to feel the good effects of the general dearth of good securities at home. The high rates of interest ruling here in past years have crippled many who might have made headway had money been cheaper. In a purely agricultural district the discussion of this subject will necessarily open many avenues of speculation, into which we have just now no desire to enter. Farmers entertain a horror of borrowed money, which in a new country may be justifiable or not, according to circumstances. But in any case the real cause of complaint is not so much the money itself as the high price which, in too many cases, has been paid for it.

Copies of Messrs Grant and Foster's pamphlet on New Zealand may be obtained at Messrs Sandes and Co.'s, Hamilton.

Nothing could 1 be more favorable to the growth of vegetation than the weather we are now experiencing. Soft rains and sunshine have alternated duriug the past day or two, and the result is highly satisfactory. The crops in various parts of the district are looking extremely well.

The advisableness of constructing a water jump on the Cam bridge racecourse is being very much canvassed juet now and we hope that tho enterprising Jockey Club will see ita way clear to include this, the mo«t interesting 1 , in the number of jumps at the forthcoming summer meeting. We understand that very little difficulty would be encountered in accomplishing 1 this and trust it will be done.

We have received two or three letters ou the .-übject of oar ovrn correspondent's letter from Raglan, which appeared in our issue of the 7th, and they agree in differing from the opinions advanced in that letter. We are extremely Borry that anythinar calculated to give unnecessary annoyance to a section of our readers should have appeared, but h should be remembered that as regards intelligence from remote places like Raglan we have to depeud largely upon our own correspondent, who is an old and reputable settler. We very much regret the publication of the letter if, as our correspondents argue, the statements were false, and with this they will perhaps be content.

A gentleman at Gisborne, writing to a friend in Wellington, says: — "We have our oil springs now started by a Sydney company, which will turn out a success if they strike good oii, and in that case town property will go to a very high price. There is a good deal of speculation in the company's shares (6d paid up), and they are selling at Is to Is 3d premium. The worst of it is, nearly all the shares are owned by the big American capitalists in Sydney, and they will not part with them. They would only let us have 6000 out of 50,000. They think they will be able to strike oil in about mx months. Things hav3 been very dull here for a year — no money in the place — but the town will look up during the coming summer."

The bridge approach at 1 Steele's cutting still requires a little attention.

Sheep-shearing has commenced pretty generally over the district.

A considerable number of entries have been received for the Cambridge Show, but the list is expected to be considerably swelled whea the whole of the late have been received, on Monday next. It is to be regretted that more than one of the principal stock-breeders in the district have intimated that they will not exhibit this year. There is every prospect however that the J-how will sustain the reputation earned by its predecessors. The Show committee meet again on Monday.

It may not be generally known that the Tamahere Central Road is passable for horses. A couple of days ago a gentleman rode from Tinne's to Ormerod's leading two horses. It will not be long, we hope, before the road ia open for wheeled traffic.

It is understood that a cricket match* will be played on the Cambridge ground to-day, between eleven of the Cricket Club, and an equal number of the members of the A. C. Force. It had been intended to play a match between members of the Club, but as the constabulary will shortly proceed to quarters on the Rotorua Road, the arrangement mentioned has been arrived at.

The " Star" has thefollowing :— "lt has been represented to us that a marriage notice in our Tuesday's issue, using the name of a highly-respected resident at Hamilton, was a hoax. The notice came by post from Hamilton, and bore every appearance of authenticity. Our agent has been instructed to make inquiry into the matter, and if the perpetrator can be discovered, we shall endeavour to make it a caution to him."

In our correspondence columns will be found a letter from Mr W. A. Graham on a very important subject. The complaint which our correspondent refers to iB one not uncommon in several flocks in this district, and we hope to see the matter ventilated with a view to discovering the nature of the disease and its probable remedies.

The furniture for Rewi's house at Kihikihi was sent up a few days ago from Auckland in charge of Mr Cranwell, who remains there to carry out the furnishing arrangements.

Mr Price, builder, Hamilton, is the successful tenderer for the Schoolhouse and teacher's residence at Kirikiriroa. The work will be put in hand immediately. The new drapery establishment bow in course of erection for Mr J. F. Andre^on one of the best business sites in Te Awamutu, is being rapidly pushed forward by the builder, Mr J. L. Mandeno, and will be ready to receive the stock expeoted by the Jb'ernglen due about the end of this month. It will be seen from our advertising columns the proprietor has a

lorge well selected stock to open up, consisting of costumes, miliuery, &c, in all tjhe latest designs and style?. The milinery and dressmaking departments will be under the superintendence of Mrs Andrew, who has for many years beeu in the service of Messrs Marshall and Snelgrove, one of, if not the largest firm in London in this branch of trade. Mr. A ndrew is related to, and has thrown in his lot amongst us at the recommendation of, Mr. Wainwright so that he will start in bud q ess with a good connection in the district — a great advantage to a new comer.

At the Hamilton Debating Club last night, the subject of qducation was further discussed, tho result being that the Committee were defeated, and Dr Sandes was called upon to form a new Executive. In the absence of the President, Mr Laishley occupied the chair!

The opening of the newly-erected Good Templar's Hall in Hamilton East was celebrated last evening by a tea meeting and concert, and an address on Good Te'mplary by Mr W. J. Speight, M.H.R. The hall was dedicated privately in the afternoon, Mr J. 0. Hammond acting as Lodge-Deputy, The tea meeting was well attended, and the audience at the entertainment afterwards numbered fully 150. Some very ohoice selections of vocal and instrumental music were rendered, and Mr Speight delivered a very telling address on the subject of Temperance. The lecturer was listened to with the greatest attention, and was frequently applauded. The chair was occuoieJ by Mr H. Steele. "We are unavoidably compelled to hold over a detailed report of the proceedings till Tuesday's is9ue. The Hamilton Light Infantry Band played a few choice selections in front of the hull during the evening.

The continued firmness of the wool sales in England affords a most grntifying assurance to growers in this colony that the clip just now being- shorn, will yield a good financial return, for the prices now maintained are not likely tv suddenly diminish. In connection with this subject, we notice from Messrs Goldsborough's current monthly circular that foreign buyers have already arrived in Melbourne in anticipation of the early commencement of the season, and there is no doubt that there will be a very large attendance of representatives from the various manufacturing districts of Europe and America at the opening sale, which will probably beheld at Messrs Groldsbonmgh's warehouses about the end of the present month. The firm look for strong competition and good prices.

Mr Kennedy Hill will sell to-day, .at his mart, Hamilton, household furniture, trap, apples, carrots, &c. Messrs William Swindon Laurie, and Charles Murdoch, ot Auckland, are elected trustees in the bankrupt estate of Angus Campbell, timber merchant of Hamilton. The p.s. Delt.i is announced to run between Ngaruawahia, Hamilton, and Cambridge, on Thursday next, 21st inst., the day of the Cambridge Farmers' Club annual Show. Samuel Corhranc and Son., will sell at their mart, Fort-street, Auckland, Monday, 25th October, at noon, 50 acres at Tuhikaramea, and an acre allotment in Alexandia. Richard, Reynolds, Esq., chairman of the Pukckuia Highway Hoard invites tenders tor stumping about 80 chains of ro.id half a chain wide, near Cambridge West School. Particulars in advertisement. A notice to owners of land in the Pukekura Highway Districh regarding the clearing of fur/c ofF the public roads appears in our advertising columns. Mr R. C. Jordan, the well-known auctioneer of Tauranga, announces th.it he will hold his Annual Fair at the Judea Sale Yards, Tauranga, at noon on Wednesday, 3rd NovemJ, when a large mob of cattle and sheep will be submitted. The road between Tauranga and Waikato is very good, and this sale shonld be well worth the attention of Waikato graziers. Jas. Wrigley, Esq., invites tenders for additions to the Xatiotal Hotel, Cambridge, up to the 26th inst. A special train will leave To Awamutu for Green Lane on the 6th November, for the conveyance of stock intended for the Auckland Cattle Show. All persons indebted to the estate of Mr Angus Campbell, Hamilton, arc requeitedto settle their accounts at once. Mr J. S. Edfjccumbe invites tenders for the erection of about 30 chains of ditch, &c, bank work, &c. Thk new Pure Cash System now being initiated by G. and C. will certainly prove a benefit to the public. It has been a great success in Sydney and Melbourne, and when stri< tly carried out the customer who bu>s at an establishment where the goods are marked low to ensure a rapid sale must be a great gainer. G. and C. .sell their drapery millinary, and clothing at such prices tor cash as gives the buyer the advantages of a shareholder in a co-operative society, without the risk of being called upon to bcarapoition of the loss should the year's business pro\e unsatisfactory. Garlick and Cranwell i\ill aim to retain the'eonfidence which the public ha\c hitherto shown them, and are determined to give the pure cash system a fair trial; whether they gain or lose the first year. Country tuners on remitting cash with older will be supplied with goods at co-operati\o prices ; just the same as though they made a personal selection. Furnishing goods, such as carpets, floor cloths, bedsteads, bedding, and general house furniture, the largest portion ot which is turned out at our own factory, will be marked at the lowest remunerative prices, and a discount of five per cent, will be allowed to those who pay at thetimeofpurdia.se. G. &C. hi\ing realised the entire \alue of their stock during their late cash sale, the present stock is \i w wi> cm' ut.y hough 1. An Inspection is imitcd. — G\Ri.rrK A\n Crawvi rf . City Hall Furnishing Arcade, Queenstreet, Auckland.