THE FIRST FIGHT ON THE ESTIMATES.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 9879, 9 November 1897, Page 4

THE FIRST FIGHT ON THE ESTIMATES.

There is an old proverb that if you grasp a nettle firmly it will not stiDg you. The Premier was grasped very tightly by the Committee of Supply, and the result was that it was discovered that he was easily managed. The change from the Premier of lasfc session to the Premier of this session .

is great. This, however, was not the most important result of the discussion. It was useful in bringing to light the petty corruption of the Ministry. The items challenged were those of Parliamentary officers. There are about a dozen messengers engaged only during the session in and about the House. Some of them have bean so employed since 1879. In 1898 the Premier carried a resolution vesting the appointment of all Parliamentary officers in the Premier. Formerly— in fact from 1862—tho officers of the House were appointed by the Government on the recommendation of tho Speaker. All this was changed in 1893, and now even the charwomen must be engaged by the Premier. Siuae 1893 the officers appointed have been of the " right colour," and the number of old residents of the West Coast who have been provided for is legion. In 1894 two or three messeugers were appointed. The oldest of tho staff— the Chief Messenger—resigned in 1897, and one of the messengers who had been appointed in 1594 was appointed to the chief position. There were rriany on the roll his senior, but they were passed over. Some of those who were ignored had acted as Chief Messenger, and their ability and character were undoubted. How came it that they were passed over ? The answer is plain. The new Chief Messenger was a friend of the Premier. There have been other appointments made that have been the result of political bias. And the first fight on the Estimates will, we hope, show the Premier that he cannot expect his political appointments to pass unchallenged. His political favouritism was exposed.

But the first fight was valuable in another way. Several members, who in 1893 voted with, the Premier, coufessed'that they were wrong, and two of them, Messrs. Tanner and Meredith, for once ventured to show a little independence by stating that they were willing to leave the appointments to the Speaker. This is a good omen. It shows that even two Seddonianshave to admit that the Premier has used his power of appointment improperly. There is a chance, then, of the 1898 resolution being revoked and the 1862 resolution being restored. The Opposition have done good work in their first fight and they have won. The Premier has had to face criticism, and though he had a small majority to ratify his job and to declare that seniority and capacity ought not to guide the Premier in his appointments, yet there will be a majority for taking from him the power of making appointments in future of officers of the House. And thus though the fight lasted for many hours it has not been in vain.