THE GOVERNMENT AND THE WANTS OF THE WORTH.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXX, Issue 9307, 16 September 1893, Page 3

THE GOVERNMENT AND THE WANTS OF THE WORTH.

TO THE ISJLHTOK. Sir,—l see that the Government is to issue debentures for £250,000, for the purchase of the Cheviot Estate. The country decided there was to be no more borrowing, and when a Northern member wants a few thousands and even huudreds for roads in the North, he is curtly informed there is no money available, or that no money has been voted ; and yet, without any authority of Parliament, the Ministry of the day spend £260,000, and then hurry a Bill through for the loan of £250,000 at 5 per cent. Where is the boasted surplus of which we have heard so much ? and how is it that not one of our members has thought fit to protest against this unauthorised expenditure? Query, would the Ministry have done the same if the Cheviot Estate had been in the North? if so, what outcry there would have been from the Southern,members. When the cost of survey of roads,"fete., is added to the £260,000, together with the expenses of raising the loan and the interest which will have accrued be- , tween the date of purchase and the time of same, the game is very doubtful.' In the opinion of many people the Ministry should have been impeached ; but no, the time of the i House is wasted over Bills of doubtful utility, while such gross breaches of the law are ""allowed to pass unheeded. Truly we strain at a gnat and swallow a camel. — am, etc., James Burtt.