LAST NIGHT'S BEBATE.

Evening Post, Volume LXXX, Issue 62, 10 September 1910, Page 4

LAST NIGHT'S BEBATE.

| The Premier has not carried out the I threat which was drawn from him by the protracted debate on the last Impresb Supply Bill. He was so annoyed by the fre*> use which, members then made of the opportunity for a discussion on things in general that he expressed his determination to see that the similar opportunity which the debate,on the first item, of the Estimates would afford would be postponed for a wionth. or more. The Premier's annoyance was natural, but we think that he was wise to change his mind and reduce the interval to a fortnignt. The ordeal had to be faced, aad he may be congratulated upon the fact that by 2.45 this morning it was over and the first item, passed. Tho jlebate, as usual, wandered far, but it was confined for the most part to two subjects, both of which for different reasons caused the Government a good deal of embarrassment. The recent irregularities in the Land and Income Tax Department were brought up by Mr. Massey, who wanted to know a good deal more about the subject than had yet been published. He mentioned it as common gessip that there were several other firms concerned in the same way as the Srm against which proceedings had been taken, and he was anxious to hear all about it. Mr. Herdman was equally eager for information, and in particular raised the pertinent question why in the case referred to by Mr. Massey there had been a delay of three years in taking proceedings. Mr. T. E. Taylor's curiosity, which is always insatiable, inspired him also to put a numbeT of questions which were not answered. He also made a number, of statements which will furtheT pique public curiosity on the subject. We are bound to say, however, that we do not attach very much importance to Mr. Taylor's allegations or to the complaints of secrecy. It is imperative that the confidential business of the Tax Department should be kept secret. The general rule that puDlicity is the best antidote to scandal was »yell stated by Mr. Taylor, and in the case of nearly every other department it might properly have been allowed to prevail. But we are bound to accept the statement of the Government that nothing has been kept back except what would, if published, expose the private affairs of taxpayers to the light of day. We are quite satisfied that neither the Judge's report aor the suppressed portions of the rep u rt of Mr. Waldegrave and his colleagues could properly have been published, and that the Government has struck a reasonable mean between the contending principles of secrecy aad publicity. The other matter which caused Ministers embarrassment yesterday was the attack whicn was opened by Mr. Wright upon their abuse of power in the matter of Government advertising. We do not say that the evil is nearly as bad as it has been, but Mr. Wright's unchallenged figures make it perfectly clear that it still exists on a considerable scale. Thct Government has no right whatavet- to pay any attention to political colour in the distribution of its advertisements. Not politics, but circulation, should be the criterion. The Oppositionists have certainly overdone their charges of Tammanyism against the Government tms session by including matters which aro free from moral odinin z but the public conscience will never approve the defence of the Government as completo until tho practice of converting public trusts to private uses in the manner shown by Mr. Wright has been abandoned.