THE REAL QUESTION OF THE ELECTION.

Evening Star, Issue 7248, 27 June 1887, Page 4

THE REAL QUESTION OF THE ELECTION.

to the editor. Sib,—The electors generally do not seem to recognise the gravity of the condition of the country, and still less do the majority of the members who formed the Parliament now defunct. The country is suffering from the senseless extravagance which has been indulged in ever Bince the Vogel policy of borrowing was begun, and is fast approaching a state of hopeless insolvency if a different policy is not now inaugurated. That policy is retrenchment in every department, from the salary of the Governor downwards. We want fewer Ministers, and men who will attend to the business of the country and leave aside their own for a salary of not more than a thousand a-year. We want no more than half the present number of represent tatives, and at half the present salary; while our lion, members of the Legislative Council should serve without any salary, or resign. We require a general reduction of the expenses of our overgrown Civil Service. An end must be put to all tho fancy schemes of squandering money which tho present Government so largely indulges in—such as village settlements on the present costly ami absurd principle, the purchase of private estates and the making of political railways like that to the West Coast, which will not pay wheel-grease for many years to come.

The only hope of accomplishing such neccssaiy retrenchment, and preventing the increased taxation with which we are threatened, is to reject all candidates whose past actions have shown that they have aided and abetted in the extravagance complained of, and elect as representatives men who pledge themselves distinctly to carry into effuct the measures I have referred to and others of like tendency. Unless this is done the Colony will soon be a place not fit to live in. Men tuch as Sirß. Stout, Mr Downie Stewart, and others of the same nature should be summarily dismissed. Professions of retrenchment from such men are utterly worthless—being under the spell of the great thimblerigging financier, whose movements they do not understand, and yet blindly support. All their claptrap of Protection, incroasod borrowing, suffrage to women who arc not ratepayers, local government, etc., should be treated at its true value, which is less than nothing, and a great deal worse.—l am, etc., Repokmrh. DunediD, June 25.