The New Zealand Times (PUBLISHED DAILY.) TUESDAY, MAY 9, 1899. A DANGER TO THE DEMOCRACY.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXIX, Issue 3735, 9 May 1899, Page 4

The New Zealand Times (PUBLISHED DAILY.)

TUESDAY, MAY 9, 1899. A DANGER TO THE DEMOCRACY.

Wim which is Incomohated tor Wellington Independent. Established 1815

When Colonial democracies decided on the payment of tlvrir Parliamentary representatives, the consideration which held most weight was that, unless such a course were adopted the Legislature would become a, “ close corporation ” into which only the man with a bounteous supply of this world’s goods would be able to gain admission. Therefore, in order that the pathway to (political Service might bo free, to all sorts and,conditions of men, and in order also that the historic truth regarding the labourer being worthy of his hire should not be discountenanced, - it was very rightly resolved to recompense members Of Parliament for their exertions. Whether or not the practical result has been altogether satisfactory is a question around which much controversy has centred. All classes of tho community have not yet been convinced that merit and merit alone is the hall-mark that will pass one of their .number into our highest deliberative assembly; many people, rightly or wrongly, regard an imprimatur far different in character as tho one which will carry most weight in the eyes of the multitude. It would in any case be labour in vain to follow the arguments pro and con on the subject to any length, Payment of members is an accepted fact and one of the most unlikely things to, happen is its discontinuance. Such an alteration in our theory and practice of Government is not within measureable distance of time. • In fact the indications force many acute observers, both at home and abroad, to' tho conclusion that politics will in future bo given over wholly iaud solely to professional followers'of what will be a recognised occupation. It is not an altogether pleasing prospect this, but there is little aoubl that, at present there is a trend in that direction.

la the meantime, while few are. to |be found who would seek, by process oflaw to rob the Parliamentarian of his emolm ments, there are many who, by imposture, piteous appeals, and direct.begging would strip him of every penny he receives. There is not one man in a colonial House of Parliament who enjoys immunity from what seems like an organised raid on his honorarium. They arc all regarded as fail - game not only by the unfortunate “ out-of-work ” (who is always to bo sympathised with) but also by the professional mendicant, deadbeat, agitator and street loafer. This should not be.' There is no more reason why a member of Parliament should bo regarded as a possible benefactor than any other person. Ho has no hidden mine of wealth into which he can dip at will and scatter largesse broadcast over the land. The Treasury chest is not kept open day and night to replenish his exhausted pocket. A member of Parliament is paid in the same way as anyone else in tne public sendee, except that, taking all things, into consideration,. Iris remuneration is upon a somewhat lower scale. The sooner this fact is more widely recognised .the better it will be for the general tone of public life. There are instances in which members have been month by month subjected to such keen pursuit that they have only been too glad, in order to gain temporary respite,, to actually purchase immunity. How to stop this system of wholesale mendicaney it is hard to say,, but unless something is done to check a rapidly growing evil the whole intention of payment of members will be defeated, and no man without private means will dare to seek election, We hear a great deal about the abolition of the land and income tax, the duties on the necessaries of life and so forth, but very little in regard to doing away with the toll now levied on our members of Parliament. This unfortunate aspect of public life is not peculiar to these parts of the world. It has reached proportions in Eng-

laud sufficiently alarming to attract the attention of a no less distinguished person that Sir Henry Campbell-Bannerman. At a recent meeting of the National Liberal Federation, held at Hull, the Liberal leader made pointed reference to what ho termed " the growing tendency to multiply expenses upon candidates ; ” not the legitimate expenses attending an election or of an organisation, but to the demand for subscriptions, for all sorts of purposes. This he regarded as a formidable and serious difficulty in the political system. Before the CorrujA Practices Act was passed, in many placesthere were solid bodies of Tories and Liberals, and there was a fringe of men who voted as their pockets were affected. The Act was designed to stop corruption at elections. But this new system of exacting, subscriptions and contributions was a. worse form of corruption. ‘‘The scoundrel,” proceeded Sir Henry, “ who took money lor his vote and the scoundrel who gave it tinder the old system were the.only persons affected, but the other is a thing which demoralises, and degrades and debauches the whole community. It would bo a good thing if wo formed a united front against this new system, which can only be looked upon with the greatest anxiety and concern.” These words apply until equal force to the'political'life of New Zealand. It is. n decided 1 menace,' that the degree of estimation in which a man is held by his follow-citizens should have any relation to the length of his purse, or the ostentation with which ho responds to the numerous calls made upon him. Between charity and such disbursements as those we have referred to there is a wide gulf, through which it is possible to roach the lowest depths of corruption.