The Waikato Times AND THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE. THURSDAY, SEPT. 17,1891.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 2992, 17 September 1891, Page 2

The Waikato Times AND THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE.

THURSDAY, SEPT. 17,1891.

Equal and exact justice to all men, Ot whatsoever state or persuasion, religious or political.

Ihkke is no more imperative duty which devolves upon members of Parliament than that ol' watching over the revenue of the country. The members who are the obodieut servants of the present Government have passed ' 1 The Local liodies Act Amendrnent Bill," by which £50,000 per annum is voted for disposal by the Minister of Lands as he lmy deem tit. We will quote clause - of the Aet, which clearly establishes our statement. It reads as follows: "The Colonial Treasurer, out of funds available as loans tu local bodies under the Act of lbSti. may advance tu tlio Minister of Lands from time tu time aiiy sum not exceeding £.",0,000 in one year fur the purpose of upening up blocks of Crown land fur settlement by the formation of roads and bridges within such blocks, or tu aftord access thereto either before or after the sale or other disposals thereof." Another clause enacts, '• When, in the opinion of the Minister of Lands it shall be deemed advisable to spend moneys in the opening of sueli blocks by roads, if shall bo the duty of the RurwyorGeneral to report as to the value of such blocks." We have ijuotod the second clause in order to make clear that the £.')0,000 is at the absolute uncontrolled disposal of the Minister for Lands. There is no more dangerous • i»mi' : +hiin handing sums of money , er to be disposed o> •• his .. In this ease it is p; 1 ,, U1( .-jo, as there is danger <_ money being used to secure _ 1 ''" 'al 1 support from the constituency withiu

whose electorutn tho money may be spout, or bo diverted to ;m object within another electorate which returns :t supporter of Ihe party in power. It lin.s lung boon iiceeptial us nil axiom thai, only very exceptional circnuistuuoes justify I'urliamuiit in handing over money to be usr.d nt tlio discrotion of tho Executive, unci that mainly for the reason we have given tibove. It is true tlnit the Minister may be called ujion to render an account. of his stewardship, but bo is protected by tlio Act, and can cover any turpitudes of which ho may have been guilty as regards tho £.30,000 by tho plea that in his opinion the money hid been judiciously expended, and there will always be room for doubt as to whether his judgment was good or bad. Parliament having placed tho power in his hands will be loth to censure him for tho manner ho exorcised a, discretion, which every right-think-ing member will feel that, ho should not have been granted. The measure was strenuously opposed by the block vole of thj Opposition and by tho forcible protests of the leaders of that party. Might, however, is right at tho present time. The measure has boon carried, and £50,000 has been handed to Mr McKenzie with which, by veiled promises or throats clothed in ambiguity, he may turn tho scale on election days. Presuming that Mr McKonzio or his successors are too high-minded to misapply tho power granted, they will always be open to suspicion, and it is difficult to believe that any Minister would be a party to placing himself in such an unpleasant position if he did not anticipate solid political advantages.