The Globe. WEDNESDAY, APRIL 30, 1879.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1620, 30 April 1879, Page 2

The Globe. WEDNESDAY, APRIL 30, 1879.

A more painful exhibition of administrative weakness—and lot us also call it blundering—was never probably witnessed than that afforded to the New Zealand public, a few days ago, by the correspondence between the Minister for Public Works, the Hon. Mr. Macandrew, and the Chairman of the Lyttelton Harbor Board. We refer, of course, to the short, sharp, and decisive controversy which arose between those two gentlemen in regard to various matters concerning tho management of the railway wharfago at Lyttelton. And we are much afraid that disinterested persons at a distance, who may have had the misfortune of perusing the documents in question, must have arrived at the painful conclusion that public affairs in Now Zealand were not, in the good year of our Lord, 1879, exactly in tho hands of persons likely to throw lustre upon their administration. The truck question—as far, at least as tho Canterbury lines are concerned—has been a serious ono for some time past. In a largely exporting district like this, any partial, let alone sudden, stoppage of tho moans of transporting tho products of the soil at the fall of the year implies very considerable loss to every section of tho community, and is spocially antagonistic to tho interests of the commercial classes. Year after year this scarcity of trucks at the proper moment has interfered to a singular dogreo witli the work of shipment at Lyttelton, ovor which the Harbor Board has, to a very great extont, especial control. The Chamber of Commerce, on moro than one occasion, had found it necessary to raise its voice and bring what pressure was within its jurisdiction to accelerate the movements of tho authorities in easing off the railway traffic. And then it came to pass that in the duo course of things tho chairman of the Lyttelton Harbor Board was moved to remonstrate onco more with the Government upon the unpleasant state of things which weigh so grievously upon tho commercial interesfs of tho district. Tho gontloman in question, the Hon. Mr. Richardson, finally sent to tho Minister of Public Works a telegram, countersigned by the president of tho Chamber of Commorco, explaining tho urgency of tho case, and generally pointing out that public interest demanded that thoso having control of tho department should

stop in and interfere. A communication of that importance should havo received, most people would think, a spoedy roply. But not only the Public Works authorities in Wellington failed to givo it the weight which its subject matter bore on the very face of it. but Mr. Macandrow, when he found it conveniont to answer the telegram, so far forgot himself as to attempt to burlesque tho whole thing. The Minister for Public Works thought it a good idea to joculariso tho request of tho two gentlemen who may be said to represent, each in his official sphere, tho mercantile interests of a very large portion of Canterbury. They were drawing the attention of Ministers to a serious want in tho okecutife machinery of the Government. The telegraphic reply which they received was absolutely couched in post-prandial, if concisivoly guarded terms. When remonstrated with by tho Harbor Board, in words as unpalatable as they were warranted by tho singularity of the occasion, tho Minister of Public Works, awakoning to tho real importance of tho case, forwarded to tho Hon. Mr. Richardson one of the most marvellous explanations which it has over boon our fato to behold. This procious document, verbose and lengthy to an inordinary extent, was published in tho " Press " some days ago. Carefully divided uudor numberless heads, its opening paragraph is indeed quito a gem, and a wonderful one, in its way. Mr. Macandrow expresses his regret that his telegram, " which was sent more in a " playful spirit than othorwiso, and on " the spur of the moment," soemod to havo displeased tho Chairman of tho Harbour Board. But, continues tho Minister, " seeing that it had elicited tho " letter under roply, there is less cause " for regret! " Then [follow pages of foolscap covered with explanations couched in semi-serious and would-be-funny language, tho tone of which must indeed havo given much food for wonder to those privileged ones in tho official world more intimately connected with tho Public Works Department. Much inclined as wo naturally fool to make a literary bonfire of this strango Ministerial ebullition, we must confess that wo fancy tho subject too painfully serious a one to permit us to indulge in any sarcastic strains. To our minds tho Hon. Mr. Richardson's replication to so sorry an exhibition fully mot the requirements of the case. The chairman of tho Lyttelton Harbor Board lost no time in joining issues with Mr. Macandrow. In reply to tho regret expressed by the latter that his tologram was sent " more in a playful spirit than othorwiso, and on tho spur of tho moment, etc.," Mr. Richardson quietly observed that the telegram to which it was an answer, emanated—on the face of its signatures —from tho President of tho Chamber of Commerce, as well as himself in their respective official capacities. It emanated from those bodies, and, scathingly addod Mr. Richardson, the latter "had no reason to think that your telegram was intended to bo treated in a playful spirit;" and naturally enough in all conscience. Mr. Richardson wound up his castigation of tho Minister by remarking that "it could bo hardly supposed that public bodies wore to wait to inquire whether replies to thoir communications wore in earnest or for tho diversion of Ministers." We much fear that there has been a good deal too much of " Ministerial diversions" of late. Noro played the fiddle while Rome was burning. Tho finances of the colony, it is a notorious fact, have been played ducks and drakes with by the present occupants of the Government Bencbes for some time past. They know not which way to turn to stave off the impending blow to our national credit. Another four million loan is strongly advocated by them through their organs. The revenue has fallen very much below its estimated figure. Public expenditure during the last year has exceeded the amount voted by an enormous margin. Public works are in a state of stagnation through want of funds, while emasculated figures are being placed before the vision of a too good-natured taxpayer. Yet our Ministerial Neros aro vigorously playing their fiddles. And they do it " playfully" too. Who cares for the day of reckoning p Sufficient for the day is the evil thereof. Apres onoi e'est le deluge, exclaims the Colonial Treasurer. And the Hon. Mr. Macandrew sends off " playful" explanations to tho public bodies, whom the people havo especially elected to look over their interests and act as conservators of public rights. Another instance, indeed, where tho old Latin motto might well apply— Quern Dcus vult perdere, prius dementat; post-prandially, or otherwise.