The Waikato Times AND THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE. SATURDAY, MAY 2, 1891.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXVI, Issue 2933, 2 May 1891, Page 2

The Waikato Times AND THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE.

SATURDAY, MAY 2, 1891.

fiqual and exact lusticu to all men, Of whatsoever state or persuasion, religious or political.

A Government which honestly endeavours to <i-ivc effect to the hastings pledges" of its members and supporters is entitled on these to the respect of those who differ as to the policy enunciated, and to the respect find confidence of those who are of their way of thinking. It will bo remembered that at the time Sir H. Atkinson was forced hy the House to reduce his estimates by i'oO.OOO that Mr Balance expressed tho opinion that another i 50,000 could bo saved without materially detracting from the efficiency of the public service. The majority of electors who had taken the trouble to consider the matter, after observation of tho working of the departments immediately nndor their observations, held the same opiniou. As we pointed out some weeks back the responsibility of retrenchment rests with tho (iovernmeut and they are entitled to tho cordial support of all parties and all classes in giving effect to their policy. The House and tho public must wait to hoo tho results ot' their measures. It is they, only, who have the '.vhulc of the necessary facts before thorn on which to formulate a scheme. l>y results 11n'v must bojmlged. Tlisy stand in a more favourable position than any former Ministry to give effect to the principle. " No more cats than can catch mice," and further, to compel! each to catch his full share- or retire from the service. We are not with those who sneer at the public servants of the colony, we boliovG that a largo majority of them perform the duties which fall to their lot with grace and ability. It is not their fault that they aro the executive of a system which is antiquated and unnecessarily cumbrous. Thoy are in a sense the victims of the system under which they work and tho public are the sufferers by the same, not by the iuetliciency of those who are appoiuted and paid to carry it out. Those whoaretoboietrouched have as a rule our sympathy, as would any man who is to lose possibly the only appointment or sphere of work for which ho is fitted. The public, however, must boar this in mind, that a Ministry stands in a different position to that of a private employor. If tho latter feels inclined, ho is perfectly j ustified, out of consideration for good work done in tho past, to retain the services of uu old omployo although unable to earn the salary paid him, either owing to tho feebleness caused by old age or the falling off in the busiuess he was paid to assist in prosocuting. A Ministry on the other hand is responsible chat not one penny is drawn from tho Treasury that is not represented to its full value by services rendered or material acquired. The Ballancß Ministry has our most cordial sympathy in the unpleasant duty which has fallen to their lot. They are called upon to remedy the errors, to put the case mildly, of many generations of Ministries. The system in the past has been to invent billets for the friends and relatives of their supporters —to this is mainly owing the overloading of the public service. To give is to court popularity ; lo take away, on tho contrary, is to secure tho enmity of some individual and those ho is able to inKuencc. It is somewhat natural that a man should have a Mind eye for any good that ririy appertain to the men who have felt it their duty to remove him from u position which lie desired to retain. If. is equally natural, with inen of not very robust minds and independent fur-dings, to ventilate a grievance and iilxirk tho.so who an: primarily responsiblein his eyes for his possession of it. Fortunately tho country was sufiipiontly outspoken at the. last elections f.o render tlm wail ings and spite of individuals a matter of indifference to the Ministry. They were returned to carry out retrenchment, and so long as they do so j wich'jut. fear or favour they may

rely upon t!i<! .support of tin; pii'iliu. Aianv will iux'orcl them support on thesf grounds nloiiß, and although they may clitlVr from them in other l)ranclics of policy, will not tike steps to bring about their defeat in die House. The retrenchment policy is tlin only s;ifo one for tho colony, .•ind 'he present Ministry appear to he thoroughly in earnest in carrying it out. If they will only avoid the sho iis upon which the extremists of their p irty will attempt to force them, there is every reason to sui-tujip-itc: that a lengthened and successful voyagij over the; stormy billows of politics is in store for them.