The Clutha Leader. BALCLUTHA: FRIDAY, JULY 30, 1880.
Clutha Leader, Rōrahi VII, Putanga 355, 30 Hōngongoi 1880, Page 4
Mō tēnei niupepa
The Clutha Leader. BALCLUTHA : FRIDAY, JULY 30, 1880.
It will be seen from the reports of the proceedings in Parliament that questions still continue to be asked at the Government regarding the recent appointment of objectionable parties to responsible positions in the Civil Service. It appears that in the great majority of such cases the appointments have been made by the Government in ignorance of the existence of any objectionable circumstances, and on the recommendation of individuals who occupy positions that ought to be filled by gentlemen. Those making such recom-mendations are perhaps more to blame than the party seeking the appointment. It is gratifying to know that from the enquiries made by the Government in these cases recommendation or representations of any kind emanating from the same quarters will for the future have but little effect. Any influence they may have will certainly be adverse to the cause they seek to further. Their action in. the cases that have been the subject of enquiry has led to their being regarded and noted as belonging to, or entirely in sympathy with the class to which the parties in whose favour they have used their influence belong. Their true character is now known, and theirinfluence for misleading in the same direction is thus counteracted. The offence of Ministers has been regarded as venial ih consequence of their ignorance, but they 'have got an insight in*jo the characters of some who are fertile of recommendations that will no doubt " be kept steadily in view " for some time to come. . —^_^ ,
Thb system initiated by the present Government of conferring upon a corps of Royal Commissioners the functions of Government j and relegating to these theduties which constitutionally fall to be performed by Ministers, has been generally condemned. Ministers themselves must already feel that the system as not without its disadvantages. It no doubt opened up a way to their spending 1 a merry recess ; it enabled them to fill up the time with "Royal Progresses" and bahquetings, and to visit arid receive the flattery of their friends while they occupied the' vantage ground of Ministers of thei Crown. It enabled Ministers to combine, a maximum of pleasure with a minimum of work, while at the same .time the whole Government machinery was being minutely overhauled, by specially appointed Royal delegates. Thus, during the recess, the new experiment seemed to work yery well, arid very pleasantly. But the, results of the system as manifested during the session are not so; satisfactory. The ostensible reason for . appointirig these Commissions ; was to secure a more economic and at the same time an efficient administration of public business. Some.; were, however, wicked enough to attribute the .real; cause to the necessity that rested upon! Minis-, ters of providing sorhe genial employmerit' for needy supporters during .the! recess.: This view was to some extent corroborated by only Governhient supporters being appointed* on these* Goriwriissions. '■ Some were good men, but ; it was regarded that these were merely thrown iri to hide the needy and doubtful character bf the others. Be this as it may, it is fiiUy admitted that the members of these Commissions were out and but i&overrimerit! supporters. Had ; they beenfchosen from the ranks'; of the ; I Opposition it might have, beeri better for the. Government^ which . "must now give' effect to the re^ iriissioners!, ptneryaiwl'hes'e i gentlemen may consider they have been* Wftfoledj, ted*te
*-ysi^jfLyy~'*^y™ , ? t^^- t^?* j^ serious 'offence /and go 6veFt6"tlrS"Opposition.Yßut it. seems!? the jgivihg effect to these recommendations would lead to an equally serious /danger " inP another direction. ! The Commissioners in'Jtheif reports animadvert strongly!upon!the ?< conduct of many of the civil servants;-* 'and c propose amalgamation df oflices, discharges - feduction"of .salaries; aiid- other '"terrible 'things in connection with the- several' "*departments! Now it must 5 be borne I*in1 * in mind ; that the civil servants possess' an immense A political power, sd great' indeed' Wat'jwith- . out their good graces only a very v strong y Government could 1 long continue in office. Thus Ministers unexpectedly disc6ver r their position to be. yery much like thalt known as *" ** between the devil and' !the deep sea," and it is said some of them now heartily wish that all the Royal Commissioners ; had met their fate in the latter alternative of the proverb referred to. . How the Government will manage . to get -oyer jtheir present awkward position,!no.ohe can tell, but it is not. expected, the Royaljpommission experiment will be repeated on such an -extensive, scale for sometime to come. , Wo have said it has been generally condemned. There is every appearance, however, that it will not be .without its good results; .Through:. means!' of these reports many extravagances andoirregularities in connection! with the public service that probably, would never diave^been otherwise disco ved, or revealedp have? now been exposed to the eye of* the overburdened ratepayer, ■ who will '^take car© that he will not be robbed 'in the r future, as he is led to believe he 'has-been -for some years past. ' ' >. A-j'^hyq
