A MISTAKEN MOVEMENT.

Evening Post, Volume LVII, Issue 33, 9 February 1899, Page 4

A MISTAKEN MOVEMENT.

An active canvas is now going on in different parts of the colony for subscriptions to the testimonial it is proposed to present to the Minister for Lands on the occasion of his departure for a trip to the Old Country. Circulars are, we understand, being sent out, accompanied by subscription lists and copies of the address to be offered with the "substantial" testimonial. We have always been ready to acknowledge the good work Mr. M'Kenzie has done, and although we have on many occasions had to quarrel with his methods and manners, we have never refrained from according him the praise he seemed to us to merit for his progressive land policy. His health has broken down in the service of the colony, and we are ready to agree cordially to his taking a trip Home without giving up the seals of office. A spontaneous testimonial in recognition of his services — a testimonial limited to very small subscriptions, and intended to show public appreciation, rather than to be a costly gift— would not be out of place, although under the present regime there has been a grotesque amount of testimonial presentation to our public men. But the movement now on foot is not spontaneous, the subscriptions are not limited, and the money is being more or less openly solicited. Among the prime movers are to be found beneficiaries from Ministerial patronage, and it is well known how, in such cases, Government employees feel compelled to subscribe, when asked, for fear lest they should suffer for a refusal. This demoralising system has been growing more and more a fixed part of our public life. The testimonials, addresses, and gifts (save the term !) presented to our big political guns" are only too often the outcome of the intrigues of their proteges and worshippers, and, worst of all, subscriptions to them are, to put the matter quite clearly, practically extorted from Government servants and other political dependants. Surely the Minister for Lands cannot have any pleasure in receiving a gift which, if things were described in their naked ugliness, would be considered as little, if anything, better than the oxitcome of blackmail. If a testimonial must be given, let all the subscriptions be quite voluntary, and also let the amount be limited, say, to one shilling, as was, we believe, at' first suggested.