MR PIRANI'S RETIREMENT.

Evening Star, Issue 11675, 6 February 1902, Page 1

MR PIRANI'S RETIREMENT.

Mr Pirani, the member for Palmerston North, in addressing his constituents en Monday evening, intimated that it was not his intention to present himself for re-election at the termination of the present Parliament. We are disposed to think that " lie never will be missed.'' He has been a member of the House for nearly nine years, and beyond being a voluable speaker, with no prejudices in regard to either matter or manner, has in no respect been notable. The honorable gentleman was one of that select party of political Ishmaelites known as the Left Wing, who had a fjTeat idea of themselves collectively and individually, but were regarded with contemptuous amusement by the Government and unconcealed aversion by the Opposition, who rejected their overtures, and would have nothing to do with them. Their attempt at creating a Third Party in the House, who would bo able to exercise appreciable influence, failed altogether, and they subsided into a spiteful little clique, very bitter against Mr Seddon, and became adepts nt making themselves disagreeable on ;ill possible occasions, endeavoring to embarrass the Treasurer in his finance, wilhout even the most forlorn hope of defeating his policy. Mr Pirani has not learnt wisdom, by experience, and his valedictory .sjxjech, ns the Pivlmerston oration may happily be considered, is in his worst style, and a fitting ending of his parliamentary career. The principles of economical administration which he advocated approve themselves generally, and it is beyond question that the Government have failed in their strict application, and that retrenchment in certain possible directions has not received consideration. There are, however, no grounds for the wholesale extravagant charges preferred by the member for Palmerston, whilst many of his references are in the vilest taste—to wit, his assertions as to payments made to the Governor " in the nature of sops " : a piece of gratuitous impertinence which reflects alike on His Excellency and the Parliament who voted the additions to his official salary and allowances, with which the people of New Zealand are distinctly pleased, considering the special services rendered by Ix>rd Banfurly and the heavy expenses incurred by him in entertaining the Royal visitors and other guests of the Colony. At Pirani stands very much alone in expressing regret that His Excellency's term of office has been extended. The information that the Secretary of State had decided to do so has been received with the greatest satisfaction. He has made himself popular by the faithful discharge of his constitutional duties, and by the close interest taken by Lady Ranfurly and himself in everything that pertained to the well-being and advancement of the community. Mr Pirani, like all politicians of his stamp, has a gird at the Civil Service, which fie chooses to consider is both over-manned and over-paid. He either fails to understand or chooses to affect ignorance as to existing conditions. The creation of new departments and branches of departments has become necessary owing to the large amplifications of Government business in the settlement of the country, the promotion of the producing industries, and the extension of the railway, telegraphic, and other services. It would be false economy not to provide liberally for such purposes as tie expansion of trade and opening up of new markets, and to starve the services which are not only directly self-supporting but conduce so much to the prosperity and convenience of the people, who thoroughly appreciate the advantages they possess, and are more than satisfied to maintain them. As to the " bosses " of the Civil Service, as Mr Pirani, with characteristic elegance of diction, terms the permanent heads of departments, and deprecates the assumed largeness of their salaries, the honorable gentleman displays very little knowledge of the subject. As a matter of fact the officers holding the more responsible' positions are greatly under-paid in comparison with men of similar attainments in the employ of private firms, banking, and other institutions, and are notably receiving from

15 to 26 per cent, less than, the officials in the recently - conatatuted Australia Common wealth Government service, while performing duties equally onerous and responsible. The New Zealand Democracy wfll insist upon having its wort well done, and is able and willing to pay good salaries all along the line. Mr Pirani and other of the Skinflint school are not likely to awake much sympathy, or to make available political capital, by appeals to what th*y possibly conceive to be popular prejudice in the matter. It is somewhat amusing to find the member for Palmerston winding up his address by producing testimonials of political usefulness from Captain Russell and others, who affect to regret his proposed retirement, and express the opinion that, whether on one side or the other, he (Mr Pirani) should be in Parliament! It is quite conventional on valedictory occasions to say complimentary things of the person who is leaving, particularly when, as in this instance, the real feeling is one of lively satisfaction. If Captain Russell had this great regard for and this high appreciation of Mr Pirani, he has certainly effectually concealed his sentiments for a lengthy period !