The Evening Star WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 1887.

Evening Star, Issue 7340, 12 October 1887, Page 2

The Evening Star WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 1887.

SrEECiiES from the Throne are never very satisfying, and the Governor to-day has not departed from the ancient tradition, in accordance with which the language of such utterances is designed rather to conceal than promulgate the intentions of those responsible.. The Advisers of His Excellency on this occasion had, however, exceptionally plain sailing, as indications of policy, except in one direction, could not reasonably be expected. The Ministry, in fact, have had scarcely time to pull themselves together ; certainly no oppportunity of concerting measures or of doing aught beyond, perhaps, agreeing as to certain principles on which their more immediate action will be based. In regard to very important questions the country is left entirely in the dark as to the views of the Cabinet—a darkness which may possibly not be dissipated by the Financial Statement or dispelled during the present session, which is declared to be an extraordinary one, convened especially for the consideration of economic reform. It was a matter of course that the subject of retrenchment should occupy the prominent position in the Speech, since the feeling aroused throughout the Colony is not to be trifled with ; and the voice of the people was clear on this point in the recent elections. We hope it may be found possible to effect economy to a material extent without inflicting individual hardship or .depriving communities of important conveniences. But the times and circumstances are so critical, the necessity for curtailing expenditure so urgent, that every consideration must give way. It is really a case of the safety of the State. As we anticipated in our article yesterday, the pruning knife is to be applied to the Education Department, in common with others, nor could this be well avoided. We may state, however, the conviction that the people would consent to any reasonable sacrifice rather than that the efficiency of the system should be impaired, and we may hope, therefore, that the words put into His Excellency's mouth on this subject are not mere verbiage, and that the reductions to be proposed will neither touch the principles of the Education Act nor tend to lower the standards of primary education. Very substantial saving may, we are inclined to think, be effected without doing mischief in either of these directions. The raising the minimum school age, for instance, from five years to six years in the large towns would at once reduce the amount of capitation required by perhaps L 50.000, whilst the withdrawal of so many mere infants would give proportionately increased accommodation in the existing buildings, and obviate in nuny instances the enlargement thereof, or the erection of new schools. The new Minister of Education thinks seven years an age early enough for children to go to school. As there were in December last 21,024 pupils between the ages of five and seven attending the schools, the direct saving would be over LBO.OOO. This is tempting at first sight, but there is roason to fear that the raising the minimum so high would have a very serious effect on a number of the smaller country schools. We believe, moreover, that there is a general impression among educationists in New Zealand that the great majority of our children can attend the schools with profit to themselves from the age of six. In connection with higher and secondary education there is beyond question the possibility of retrenchment without in any degree affecting the usefulness of the several institutions, or interfering with their proper functions. There is far too much money spent in administration, in consequence of the number of administrative bodies.

We are very glad to noto that Ministers recognise the desirability of a change in the system ot working the opened lines of railway ; and we may be allowed to hope that the change will be a radical one. The principle hitherto acted upon has been altogether vicious, in that the primary consideration has been to make the lines pay expenses and interest, so far as might be, on the cost of construction. To this end the charges have been maintained at such high rates as to drive goods traffic on to the roads ; while the passenger rates, especially for long distances, are simply prohibitive, and trains run half the time with almost empty carriages. Experience hap fully proved that the system is a failure, and does not even realise the object aimed at, since a little over 2 per cent, on the cost has been the utmost realised. An entirely new departure, if we understand aright the reference in the Speech, is intended, and we may expect that the public convenience will now be made the first consideration. An almost certain result would be a very large increase of business, so large, indeed, as to make the lines pay, which they will assuredly never do under existing arrangements. Mr Mjtchblson, however, will have to shake himself , free from r his old associations in the Public Works Department, or he will find himself tied and bound like his immediate predecessor in the hands of the jrarmanent officials, who, after the fashion of their class, abominate reforms of every kind, and especially anything in the way of concessions to the public. Major' Atkinson, in putting the Speech together—we believe this to be the special

function of tho Premier—was evidently nonplussed as to what should be said or not be said on the vexed question of fiscal policy. The Cabinet collectively represent several shades of opinion on the subject, and will find it somewhat difficult to agree on any definite course unless they agree to differ. Protection, ; however, as understood and advocated i by the Dunedin League, is entirely out of the range of practical politics in the present i Parliament, in which the ardent Protectionists (mostly recent converts) may be numbered on the fingers. A revision of the ' Tariff we quite concede to be exceedingly expedient for many obvious reasons—those set forth in the Speech among the number but the revision, when it does take place, will, we may trust, be in the direction of facilitating the trade and commerce of the Colony by removing, so far as is practicable, all restrictions thereon, particularly duties on raw material and articles of any kind used in local manufactures. This is the true and indeed the only way to really foster local industries, the adventitious encouragement of which by protective duties fails in the object, as well as being neither more nor less than plunder of the whole people for the enrichment of a very few. We sincerely trust that wise counsels will prevail in the Cabinet, and that Ministers will not commit themselves to do the Colony so grievous a wrong as the imposition of even a modified protective tariff would most assuredly be. It is hopeful that they decline to deal with the question this session. Reflection under a full sense of responsibility may possibly induce the right thing, and the necessity of augmenting the revenue will, it may be expected, not present itself. If there is one thing more gratifying than another in the change of Ministry it is that an effective quietus is given to the land and Native fads of Mr Baixance. The present Government evidently intend to administer the public lands on the principles of, and in accordance with, tho spirit of the land laws, and will remove, they assert through His Excellency, existing restrictions, with the view of facilitating settlement in every possible way. The various experimental systems of occupation have had their trial, and it can be seen now how they may be made to work in together, and in what respects each or any may be defective. The Department of Lands is in excellent hands, and knowing the liberal, broad views of the Premier on the question we have entire confidence that a judicious course, calculated to really settle the country, will be pursued. In regard to Native matters wholesome reforms are indicated ; but it will not be easy to remedy at once the mischief of three years' maladministration. The soundest policy we conceive to be the abolition of the Native Office and letting the Maoris sevorely alone.