MINISTERIAL SALARIES. TO THE EDITOR.

Evening Post, Volume XLI, Issue 74, 30 March 1891, Page 4

MINISTERIAL SALARIES. TO THE EDITOR.

Sir— Mr.- Frank Moore takes exesption to my suggestion w Ministers reoeiving a fair remuneration for their services while bo many are unemployed. With Mr. Moore's object in calling attention to the f»ot I cordi»lly oononr. I also sympathiao with the unfortunate in this city, because I too have txpetienoed the cruel wrong inflioted on the helpless through the one-sided legislation we have been subjeoted to in the past. Still, I continue to look forward with faith, hoping we may reoeivo justioo and oomideration at the haudt of the present Government. But, until a ohango takes plaoe, snrely • deputation representing the unfortunate ones might wait on the Premier and ascertain whether he could •asitt them to pull through, let ns hope, this short period of depression, without having to witness the demoralising effeots of poverty and starvation. Sir, I have Always endeavoured to do my part to bring about that prosperity whioh would soon dispel the gloom and misery complained of which has been insidiously oreeping on ns, until at the end of our Jubilee year it hangs like a pall over this fair land, whioh yields all we require so abundantly. Mr. Moore seems to attribute the present oongested state of the labour market to the ute strike. No doubt it intensified the distress ; but I think the cause would be found to oontain the elements of deeper growth than many of us ate aware of. At the same time it would take an abler pen than mine, and more space than yon could afford, to depict the sore spot or cause of the present _ham eful stagnation— stagnation which will .peedily pass away with the growth of .education like ohaff before tho wind. But before that tinio arrives those men who ■offer bo woefully will have to wake up to the faot that they have the power to inaugurate reform, and that, too, in a legitimate m.y, whioh would reach the large landholders and capitalists, and still allow them to have that freedom of oontraot whiob must b« uphold by all right-thinking men. I say if they do not concentrate their energies in this direction, they may and dutrrt to walk hungry in the future.

During tho recent eleotion contest, when men were pmarting under defeat, who had bo unselfishly sacrificed their own prospects, in ordor to better tho condition of otbera, they did betray a want of unity aud judgment in their ohoioe of men to represent them in the counoila of the people, bo much bo that some were really vigorous canvassers for those who think that wages are bo high and openly admit that they are totally opposed to any material departure from Sir Atkinson's continuous and consistent efforts to play into tbe hands of the moneyed olaaaea. If Mr. Moore will raise his eyes to the newly finished gaol, and add to the speotaole a third lunatio asylum of huge proportions about to be erected, then I think that he will agree with me that legislation in the past has been consistently tending towards vice, poverty, and crime. The keen competition now going on with all olaaseß must test the heads of those who might pats throngh life happily under more favourable ciroumstanoea. We have every indication that onr Btateamen oonld disoern the time approaching when the aforesaid institutions wonld be inadequate to the growing demands whioh must follow in the wake of such maladministration on the part of thoae elected to govern ua. Therefore it behovea us for the future to direot all our efforta to return and support men who have the courage to enforce their opinions, and who will endeavour to govern, not with an army of policemen or military, but by acts of justice and wisdom, whioh will soon relieve thoae in diatreßß, and enable thorn to become thrifty arid contented aubjeota. I aay the least we can do if we expect men to devote their energies in auoh adireotion and endure the abuse showered on their devoted heads, is to tako steps to inaibt on their reoeiving a salary considerably in excess of those who have a permanent appointment and retire on a pension when old age creeps on, without beiug called upon to keep up the tame interobange of civilities aa those holding euch honourable positions should do. I am, ftc, W. Nor«rovx.