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New Zealand Times, Volume XLX, Issue 8164, 16 August 1887, Page 4

While we moat strongly condemn—and have from tho first strongly condemned—the delay of the Government in entering upon the work of re-building tho General Post-office, we cannot see that the indefensible procrastination displayed in

this matter affords any ground for misrepresenting a particular Minister. Mr Richardson has been distinctly accused of “ humbugging ” the Mayor of Wellington and the ex-member for Te Aro, and of saying “ the thing which is not.” This accusation is based on his assertion that the Government had given a pledge to Parliament that the work of reconstruction should not be entered upon until the new Parliament met. It is alleged that this is “an excuse which has no founda-

tion in fact.” But on referring to Hansard we find that on the 3rd June, in answer to a question by Dr Newman, Mr Richardson explicitly said :

As to the restoration of the Wellington Post Office, the Government would not be justified in entering upon a contract for that work until the new Parliament meets.

This is unquestionably a virtual pledge, and an utterly indefensible one. When a Minister of the Crown expressly states in his place in the House that his Government would not be justified in doing a certain thing, that plainly must be taken as a declaration that the thing will not be done. Mr Richardson acted very improperly in giving such an implied promise, for the work was one, which ought to have been put in hand without an instant’s delay or hesitation, but certainly the implied promise was given.

We have received from the Government Insurance Commissioner, Mr D. M. Luckie, the annual report of the Government Insurance Department for' 1886, which will be presented to Parliament on its reassembling. Mr Luckie states that during the year 5035 proposals were received for a total sum of L 1,136,836, and of these 3560 for L 717,464 were accepted and completed. The premium revenue represented by the new business was L 22,377, which bethinks is “ fairly satisfactory.” The total claims amounted to L 56,113. The annual income from all sources was L 255,600, or L 14,826 more than that of the previous year. Tho sum received in interest ou investments exceeded by L 2091 the total amount of losses. The accumulated fund amounted to L 1,231,933, and was increased during the year by L 129,899. The report of the London Actuaries (the substance of which was telegraphed) is appended. They record their appreciation of the intelligent care bestowed on the preparation of the schedules by Mr F. W. Frankland, the schedules extending over 1043 large sheets, whoSa “ clearness and completeness,” the Actuaries say, “ materially diminished the heavy labour attendant upon the valuation.” They add that the extent of tho business done exceeded their anticipations, and that the results were more favourable than they expected. It is asserted that these results, taking the ago of the office into account, “ are unequalled in the history of the life assurance institutions of Groat Britain or her dependencies.” The remarkably low death-rate of New Zealand—only 10’61 per 1000, as against Victoria's 14 73, New South Wales’ 16 02, and Queensland’s 19 'SB. After giving an interesting rdsumC of the Department’s history, Mr Luckie remarks, in conclusion “ Taking into consideration the actual results above narrated, and the manifold and unique advantages which this institution secures, it may be permitted to affirm that its prospects in the future aro full of promise, and will exceed in their realisation tho satisfactory experience of the past.” We cordially congratulate Mr Luckie and his officers on the favourable report they are able to' make, and the policy-holders still more on receiving it.