SIR JOSEPH WARD AND THE GOVERNMENT.

Press, Volume LXVII, Issue 14159, 27 September 1911, Page 5

SIR JOSEPH WARD AND THE GOVERNMENT.

TO rHE EDITOR OT "THE PRESS." Sir.—Tho coming Parliamentary election is frought with very sorious consequences to tho workers of New Zealand. Thoir interests, owing to their numbers, should always be tho most important. It is, therefore, our duty to bo up and doing, to so© that the borrowing and extravagant expenditure of tho Govomment should bo put a Btop to, and tho borrowing only to bo allowed for such works as aro in-terest-producing, so that no extra burden should bo placed upon tho people's shoulders. Th© present PremioH has always been tho embodiment of extravaganco, and has practically -assumed the position of dictator to Now Zealand, as witness his action in connection with the Dreadnought, and the Roderick McKenzio gold nugget, which ho presented the King on Iris recent visit to England; but he received lus reward in the title of Baronet, an hereditary title, that will go to his. heirs for'all time. Did the workers desir© their Premier to accept this title, or is it only another of the ambitions of Sir Joseph Ward for self-eraltation? Do the workers desire these class-dis-tinctions for the Premier? Wo are told that "prido goeth before a fall," j and this desire of the Premier's to unduly exalt himself may. and most likely will, result in his downfall. Richard Cobden, who did so much for tho starving millions of England by his noblo work in th© repeal of the Corn Laws, which gavo tho people choap broad, says with regard to titles: "I have never known a ropresenbativo put into cocked-hat, and breeches and ruffles, with a sword by his side, without having his head turned by the feathers and frippery; generally they giv© way to snobbery and iiing dirt at th© prominent men of their own order." Then, again, as to th© habit of the Premier in telling the people hbw much ho lias given and how much taxation he has taken off certain articles; he evidently forgets that all taxation is taken from the people, and should bo pended for th© benefit of tho people, and on the most economical lines; but is it so? Wo know that our money is spent in many instances in a very extravagant manner, and that far'hotter service could bo given at much less expense. Look at tho promises of tho Government; does anyone think that they ar© intended for tho general good of the community? Are they not rathor in the nature of vote-catching bribes? Surely tho electors are not so easily bought? Similar bribes: were offered tho people of Canada, but with what result? I will quote part of a telegram from Canada in this connection: "A sitJTiificant feature of tho elections is the defeat of Cabinet Ministers. Lavish promises wore made in various cities of great public works, which would be undertaken if Ministers

were victorious." But wo have seen tho result. Could anything bo more like the action of our own Government? It can plainly bo seen that "coming events cast their shadows before them." The Hon. Mr Fowlds, who recently resigned, and thereby showed he had more political backbone than other members of the Government, evidently did not liko what ho saw bohind the scenes. The remaining members of the Ministry aro not a happy family, aitl the Canterbury member (the Hon. D. Buddo) is particularly weak. To fill -the place in tho Ministry created by tho resignation of $lr Fowlds, we havo been waiting in anticipation. Mr Geo. Laurenson, Mr H. G. Ell, Mr Davey, and Mr G. W. Russell, all good supporters of the Government, aro supposed to bo in the running, and each one is thinking his loyality to his party, not his capability, entitles him to tho position. They havo born tho burden and heat of tho day at £300 per annum, and are they not all entitled to becom© Ministers of tho Crown with the higher emolument attached thereto. What a pity that the Premier could not adopt tho plan of Artemus Ward, wiho, to prevent any friction with his soldiers, made ©very man an officer. I havo not mentioned Mr Isitt in this connection, ho having so recently being returned to ParliaI ment; but his loyalty to the Government and a splendid referenco as to their charaoter given by him, should entitle him to some consideration at their hands. All this is supposing that tho presont party bo again returned to power, which I sincerely hop© will not bo tlio case. —Yours, etc., ECONOMY.