The Marlborough Express PUBLISHED EVERY EVENING. THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 1905. MORE ABOUT THE VOUCHER.

Marlborough Express, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 214, 7 September 1905, Page 2

The Marlborough Express PUBLISHED EVERY EVENING. THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 1905. MORE ABOUT THE VOUCHER.

♦ THB*letter which Mr Fisher has been pleased to write to the Premier cannot be called a well-conceived composition. It consists mainly of self-justification; and there is not a word of real apology. There is an expression of sympathy with the Premier for the pain to which he has been subjected, and a gracious intimation that, having carefully examined the evidence, Mr Fisher now regards Captain Seddon as not guilty of fraud; but there is no trace of regret for having publicly pronounced that officer guilty before he had an opportunity of proving innocence. Mr Fisher claims that he was at no time actuated by personal motive; but he might well be asked why he bawled the charge from the housetops without warning—arrested, charged, and sentenced them, so to speak, without waiting for the defence.' At an early stage of the controversy Mr Seddon asked Mr Fisher why he did not come to him departmentally or privately before making the accusation; and there is a good deal of significance in the reply, which was to the following effect:—-"I went to you on the night of my election to the House, to shake hands with you; but never again ! " Concluding his letter, Mr Fisher unnecessarily suggests that it " has now become your duty as Prime Minister to sift this matter to the bottom"; and these words do not impart grace to a communication which might very well have consisted of an unreserved apology. Mr Fisher is the last man in the world to teach the Premier his ! duty in this particular matter; and the member for Wellington may depend upon it that the country is watching very closely to see that there will be no shirking of duty on anyone's part. The desire evinced by Messrs Taylor and Fisher to protect the postal officials at Christchurch who supplied them with their ammunition against the Government is a laudable one, but the Department has also a duty to perform to the country, and it is satisfactory to see that Sir. Joseph Ward declines to be intimidated by Mr Taylor or anyone else. The Minister's responsibility is not a pleasant one; for, whether the officials in question ar to be absolved or punished—and it is to be hoped there will be no necessity for punishment—his action is bound to excite hostility, so strong is the feeling on either side. Such is the evil of bringing political partisanship to bear on the Civil Service! We have no doubt, that, whether a public enquiry is held or not, a full measure ..of justice will be done; and we trust "that the verdict will accord with the bulk of healthy public opinion. Mr Seddon, at all events, has maintained an exemplary attitude all through the piece, and he may be expected to steer clear of the rock of vindictiveness.