SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 22. PROPOSED GIFT TO THE PREMIER.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XLII, Issue 7395, 22 February 1902, Page 2

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 22. PROPOSED GIFT TO THE PREMIER.

Delivered every evening by 6 o'clock in jiawera, MqTMUH, Normanby, Ohaiawa, Eltham, Mangatoki, Eaponga, Awatuna, Opunake, Ofcakeho, Manutani, Alton. Hurleyville, Patea and Waverley.

There has been a good deal oi discussion in various parts of the colony recently over a proposal to give by public eubscription a purse of sovereigns or a landed estate to the Premier in recognition of his services in connection with the war and the despatch of contingents. We must say that it appears to us a great deal of unnecessary heat has been shown. The proposal is, we understand, merely for a voluntary subscription, without reference to party, and surely those who wish to subscribe to such a fund should have liberty to do so without criticism, just as those who are not ready to contribute should have perfect liberty to refrain, It would be an entirely different matter were theprpoosal to take a Bum out of the public funds. The one complicating feature in the affair is that among some of the most prominent people urging the raising of the testimonial are men who have either received great favours from the Premier, or are notoriously expectant. They at least are in an equivocal position. But there are many others whose advooaoy is entirely untinged by personal inicrest. So long as it is a non-party affair, and no pressure is exercised, everyone being left to do the thing he wills, we fail to see why the proposal should be fought over.