THE PUBLIC PURSE.

Marlborough Express, Volume XLIII, Issue 143, 15 June 1909, Page 7

THE PUBLIC PURSE.

OPPOSITION ECONOMIES

[CTIOM OUR CORRESPONDENT.]

WELLINGTON, Friday. Considering how frequently members of the Opposition and Opposition journals prate virtuously about the constituencies being "debauched" with sums from the public purse it is amusing to find that on the very first opportunity prominent Oppositionists rush forward with appeals for branch railways, new post offices and all sorts of public buildings. Or course these gentlemen will assert that the various enterprises upon which they desire that public money should be spent are thoroughly justifiable, but why should the Government be accused of extravagance for doing exactly what the Opposition ask them to do?. , I notice that quite a number or Members are asking that work shall be commenced, or where it has been stopped, shall be recommenced on various railway lines. Mr Dive, for instance, wants a branch line to Opunake, Mr Malcolm wants the Bal-clutha-Tuapeka Mouth line, Mr Massey appeals for the Waiuku branch in his own electorate.) Mr Hine wants a tunnel on the Stratford-Ongarue line, Mr Stallworthy pleads for justice to the Far North—"the further extension of the North Auckland line" even the veteran Mr Buchanan has got his little line,— Featherston to Martinborough—and there are many others. Everybody wants to have his own little dip into the public purse. Mr Vigor Brown thinks that Napier ought to have "an up-to-date railway station." (N.B.— Wellington has the worst station in the Dominion). MiDillon a bridge Mr Hine a newcourthouse, Mr E. Taylor a State coal mine in the Waikato, Mr Scott '■««■ efficient boring plant," etc. As tor applications for new post offices tney are here simply by dozens. And yet, bless the honest hearts of all these good representatives of the people, there is not one of them who would not declare it to be his keenest desire that the Government should practise the most stringent economy in these alleged "hard times.'