THE FORTY POUNDS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVII, Issue 11536, 22 November 1900, Page 3

THE FORTY POUNDS.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir,—There is a sinister ring about those 40 pieces of money, which for many a long day will re-echo hi the public ear. What a scathing reproach is cast by this episode upon the New Zealand House of Representatives! Ardent patriots are all its members, who ssrvo their country from the purest of motives, if their speeches at the hustings might be believed. What at that time was vho assumed reason, which induced them to offer their talents to the electors? What but a fervent craving to benefit their fellow citizens? It was not the desire of an illegitimate reward. He who at that time would have dared to hint at such a scurrility would have been hissed at as a contemptible detainer of honourable men. But now, in sight of all, a golden key has unlocked the secret desires of their hearts. They have fallen from the lofty height of magnanimous patriotism down to tho grovelling dust of grasping, mean avarice. They have proved themselves reckless of tho public honour, contemners of the genius of law, despisers of the spirit of justice—l am, etc., Chas. Haedy. November 20, 1900. TO THE EDITOR. Sir, —I have been arguing with a friend over this honorarium business. He .says that it was quite in order, but I question if it was. What is the usual procedure—an Act of Parliament? They have apparently passed it as one, but the question is, Was it introduced and passed in proper form? If not, I should suppose that they are liable to impeachment. Mr. Seddon pleads a case of working men demanding higher wages. In this case the question belongs to the Arbitration Board. What does the Arbitration Board say about it? Mr. Seddon did not look much like « working man after his jubilee trip! What, would the Arbitration Board have allowed on a working man's trip to England? With a large grain of salt, we might allow that any common working man can earn three hundred a year, and that he would be only wasting his time sitting in Parliament, and the plea of higher wages might pass. It was not the money, but the way it was done. Such shod Parliamentary business looks too ranch liko Tammany legislation, and for this reason it is to be condemned. —I am, etc., WOKKINGMAN.