CANDID CRITIC OF THE GOVERNMENT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 11869, 22 January 1902, Page 5

CANDID CRITIC OF THE GOVERNMENT.

I ! SPEECH BY MP- HOGG, M.H.R. | THE SUSPENSION OF PUBLIC WORKS. i ■ MINISTRY DRIFTING TOWARDS THE ROCKS. [by telegraph.—own correspondent.] Wellington*, Tuesday. The member for Masterton (Mr. Hogg) appeared as the candid critic of the Government in the course of his address to his constituents last night at Masterton. He said that the weak point in. the system of representative Government- was that political heads were apt to become mere figure heads. The gaols, lunatic asylums, hospitals, and charitable institutions needed overhauling. Some of the Departments were either paralysed or congested, and the Defence Department was virtually a dead letter office." Referring to the Estimates, M«. Hogg said the money was voted in a manner that was amazing. Last session a few members, including himself, refused to be Ministerridden. They " bucked " against the increase of big salaries, but in vain. Votes were carried by Ministers with the assistance chiefly of the Opposition. Dealing with defence, Mr. Hogg expressed the opinion that the colony was spending too much playing at soldiers. , Referring to roads and railways Mr. Hogg said it was to be regretted that on more than one occasion co-operative labourers had been treated to an extended holiday just before Christmas. He considered it inconsistent on the part of the Government *to pass legislation for the prevention of and then, by a sudden suspension of works and merciless sacking of workers, to produce all the depressing consequences of a large strike. He severely criticised the Departmental expenditure, which had increased from £2,438,696 five years ago to £3,466,472 now. He asked "could the colony run it? Were they not running the trains without a brake ? Money for roads and railways had been obtained from loan. What a departure from the selfreliant policy laid down by the late John Ballance! Much of the money was spent in such works as the Midland railway and the Otago Central, which were not likely to prove reproductive, and might as well be postponed. The sudden suspension of public works was a blow to the labourers and settlers that admitted of no excuse. The amount appropriated for road works was grossly inadequate, and only a fraction of the appropriation was expended. In conclusion, Mr. Hogg said that) in the past the Ministry had done good service, but now seemed drifting towards the rocks. There was too much borrowing, and far too much wasteful expenditure. This should give way to firmness. Members should not be propitiated at tljfe general cost. It was due' to the increasing expenditure in less useful directions that roads and bridges were starved and men were thrown out of employment. At a time like the present prudence was necessary and the brake would have to be applied. A vote of thanks and confidence was carried by acclamation.