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Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XXIX, Issue 96, 25 April 1895, Page 2

Tho wonder still continues what Mr Ward is doing on behalf of tho colony in London, and public curiosity is a good deal raised on the subject. Before bs left New Zeahnd he said that ciicumstances had arisen which made it highly desirable, if not absolutely necessary, that a New Zealand Cabinet Minister should visit England, and be hintsd at dark conspiracies against the welfare of the colony wbioh it would be bis duty to defeat. It is now a considerable timo Binco ho reached London, and the telegrams concerning his doings have been vory meagre. In Now Zealand wo cannot tell whether the conspiracies and dark doings to which Mr Ward alluded in Dune din extend to the Continent of Europe, and whether it has been necessary for him to visit Paris and other Continental cities in consequence. Wo know that it is his opinion and that of several of his colleagues that the New Zealand press gonerally conspires to do them injustice. It he is really doing anything of importance just now it seems that those who gather news in England for .transmission by telegraph to tho colony aro singularly remiss. Possibly tho Ministers may bo of opinion that they act ar refrain from acting by instructions from New Zealand. The Press Association, however, has as subscribers proprietors of papers which support the Government ; it keeps studiously clear of party politics in transmitting news. The question thon recurs, What is Mr Ward doing for the colony to justify an expensive trip at the public expense ? and so far no one seems able to answer it. In tho meantime Parliament ought to meet in less than two months and the Colonial Treasurer is absent, lie will know nothing on his return about the many bills which are promised or threatened by the Government, and which he will have to defend. The Budget ought to come on early in the session, and no one can say that the finances of New Zealand are so simple that the Minister in charge of them can be absent for many months and yet be able immediately on his return to inform Parliament and th; public how they sland. The business which could justify his absence at .such a time and for so lons must be serious indeed, and it is time that a little information were given on lbc subject to the public.