TO THE VICTORS BELONG THE SPOILS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVIII, Issue 8655, 26 August 1891, Page 3

TO THE VICTORS BELONG THE SPOILS.

TO TUB EDITOR. Sib, The passage of the Payment of Members Bill through its second reading must painfully remind electors of the above old- time maxim of the American professional politicians. One is almost forced to admit that the " spoils system" is more thoroughly practiced, (though under different forms, in New Zealand to-day than it is North America. In truth, "Vaevictis" has ceased to be the guiding principle of Republicanism, and has, under the form of " Woe to the taxpayers," become rooted in New Zealand politics. The last exemplification of the evil of vesting the supremacy _ in Parliament instead of in the people will serve to bring home forcibly to the minds of electors the cynical indifference of our parliamentary oligarchy to public opinion and the public weal when once the elections are over. The wholly written constitutions of the Union and of the States have excellent safeguards against the assaults of the elected upon the public treasury. For instance, "The President shall, at stated times, receive for his services a compensation, which shall neither be increased nor diminished during the period for which he may have been elected, and he shall - not receive within that period any other emolument from the United States or any of thern.' Similarly in New York and other States :— " The law which increases the compensation payable to members of the Legislature shall only be carried into execution in the year which follows that in which it may have been passed." In these States the Lower House is renewed by election every year. Would our self-sacrificing patriots approve of such checks upon Parliamentary rapacity ? Certainly not. Such checks can only be carried by a determined people bent upon accomplishing the constitutional subjection of the Legislature to it in spite of and in the teeth of political professionalism. Instead of thanking the House of Representatives for not voting its members a thousand pounds per head per annum, it is to be regretted that it did not do so—nay, that it did not go further, and, varying the performances of the Long Parliament aud Tiers Etat, abolish the Legislative Council, expel the Opposition minority, tvud deeliire itself in perpetual

session. Some will say that finch things are impossible. Yes, but only because of the ;.; restraining influence of the Pax Britanmca. g ■—I am, etc.,' E. W. Burton. ,