The Star. A "CANDID FRIEND."

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XLII, Issue 7369, 22 January 1902, Page 2

The Star.

A " CANDID FRIEND."

Delivered every evening by 6 o'clock iv Hawera, Manaw, Normanby, Okaiawa, Eltham, Mangatoki, Kapongn, Awatuna, Opunafce, Otakelio, Munutalii, Alton, Hurleyville, Patea and Waverley.

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 22.

The member for Mastertou, Mr A. W. Hogg, who has for many years ' been a strong supporter of (ho psrty now in power, indulged in some candid, and, indeed, adverae criticism in his post - sessional address on Monday evening. In view of the decrease in the value of some of the principal lines of the colony's exports, he sounded a warning tote on the subject of expenditnrei Among other things he said that departments were not being administered economically or satisfactorily, and he especially alluded to the Government lunatic asylums and hospital and charitable institutions as needing overhauling, and was severe on the Defence Department, holding that the colony was spending too much on defence, resulting in military waste, and the circulation of an unfortunate spirit of militarism. As to the estimates, he said the way money was voted by Parliament was "amazing," for which he blamed the Opposition as well as the Government. Last session he and other members had "bucked" in vain. <c Ihe Departmental expenditure had risen from £2,638,696 five years ago to £3,466,472 now. Could the colony run it ?" It i 3 refreshing to see tha 1 ; Ministerial members are beginning to look at matters from this standpoint. For pome time past many journals have from time to time warned the public about the growing expenditure, but they have been mere voices crying in the wilderness, and Parliament seems to have given up control of tho expenditure. Perhaps Mr Hogg and others of his way of thinking will grow in strength before long. The indications point to them doing so. Bis objection ia not to expenditure on road works, but on defence, and on such works as the Midland railway and the Otago Central, which are not likely to prove reproductive, and on the administrative extravagance. " A prudent course was to take in sail, to reduce expenditure and borrowing as well. Heavy borrowing was surrounded by temptations to spend unwisely, and he feared that they were doing so. He was afraid the Administration bad entered on a career of extravagance that would involve tho colony in difficulties. The term extravagance did not simply arply to the Government ; it was due to private, as well as public, extravagance that the imports were mounting up. Nine-tenths of the articles for sale in the shops and warehouses of the colony were imported." In conclusion, Mr Hogg said that in the past the Ministry had done good service, but now seemed drifting towards the rocks. There was too i much borrowing and far too much wasteful expenditure. This should j give way to firmness ; members should not be propitiated at the ( general cost. It was due to increas ing expenditure in less useful directions that roads and bridges were starved and men thrown out of employment. At a time like the present prudence was necessary, and the brake would have to be applied. We think that the remarks of the member for Masterton should be welcomed by the people, not as an attack upon any individual or any party, but as a criticism on the extravagant system of expenditure j we have drifted into since 1891. It ! simply cannot last ; everybody with any experience knows it, and everybody with any courage ought to say so.