MANAWATU EVENING STANDARD AND POHANGINA GAZETTE. Circulation, 2,800 Copies Daily THURSDAY, SEPT. 18, 1902. POST-AUDIT V. PRE-AUDIT.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XL, Issue 7402, 18 September 1902, Page 2

MANAWATU EVENING STANDARD AND POHANGINA GAZETTE. Circulation, 2,800 Copies Daily THURSDAY, SEPT. 18, 1902. POST-AUDIT V. PRE-AUDIT.

Although the Acting-Premier has declared that he has renounced his previous intention of bringing in a bill this session to amend the Public Revenues Act in the directiou of substituting the system of audit after payment for the present methed of audit before payment, the idea has not been abandoned altogether. Under tho circumstances it is intere.ting to consider the advantages of both systems, especially as tho present Government is chafing under the restrictions involved in being compelled to have vouchers lor expenditure pissed by an official beyond their control and responsible only to Parliament. That there aro merits in both methods of dealing with the finances of the colony cannot be denied but the advantages of either system depends considerably on surrounding circumstances. Responsible government carried to its logical conclusion undoubtedly vests iv the Government the complete control of the expenditure, subject only to the appjoval of Parliament. And where you have a pure administration, actuated only by tho.highcst principles, and determined to act honestly ahd straightforwardly, regardless of tho opinions of friend or foe, the question of audit is a mero surplusage. As obtains in regard to the expenditure of local bodies, of companies and institutions and of private firms, auditing is only a perfunctory task, for the simple reason that every care, is taken :by those who administer tlje moneys entrusted to (Jicit charge to seo-that no illegal expenditure takes place; But the unpleasant feeling is current amongst' those who take a critical

interest in the colonial finances, that almost every triple tynd dodge knonn to human beings is resorted to for the object of enabling money to be spent dospito the law to tjio pogtra'fT. Therefore, it is a matter for grave consideration whether the colony should abandon the little shred of control left to it under the system of pre : audit, and giye t|ie Cfoyernment absolute power to expend the revenues as they please, subject only to the examination of an auditor months after the money Jiad been spent. Certainly, it is open to* tho.e who worship our system of government as sqmo sor* of f. Ijsh which safeguards the rights gt humanity, to logically jjrgo that no permanent official has a right to interpose betweeu the (lover-intent awl .*'li'l"4'>Bt in tho work of administration, unless at the express desire pf the representatives of the people,' fliif. rosppps-ble government in Now Has come to such a pass that tho ordinary standards by which.it is .u_gcd are hprdly applicable. We do not think that the convenience tho honesty, tho safety or the simplicity of the administration of the finances would' bo facilitatcd'by such legislation as has been fore ibpdowcd, and it is a great relief to alt tW.e;vrho havo the interests of the co'pny at heart to know that, for the present, at any rate, the evil day has been postponed,