AN UNSEEMLY CONFLICT.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXI, Issue 4304, 13 March 1901, Page 4

AN UNSEEMLY CONFLICT.

The Government has shown so much genius for “running tho show business'’ of late, that it comes as a shock to find tho Premier haggling and wrangling with citizens over the cost of the- proposed demonstrations cu the occasion of the forthcoming vfeit of the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall. True. Mr Sadden has- saved the situation to some extent by stating that it any local body is found, in his judgment, to come short in its proposals of what the occasion requires, ho will “sweep it ou one side” and have the thing properly done by the Government. This sounds very like encouragement to such municipalities as may be inclined to parsimony, or, mindful of .the many calls mads upon citi-. zefts during the past year, may wish to obviate the squealing of the goose that is being plucked. Assuredly, if tho Government declares its willingness to take up and discharge the neglected duty of the municipalities, there will be no need to pass an Indemnity Act legalising expenditure on public functions and displays on.tho occasion of the approaching Royal visit. There is a good deal of reason in tho contention that the State as: a whole should contribute a large proportion of the money required, the occasion is a national one, and the people of the colony, who will hate an opportunity of witnessing the displays, ought % to bear the. cost, which, after al], will be but slight. It must be remembered that the merchants and leading men in the principal cities will be called upon individually to expend largo sums in decorating and illuminating their premises, and it would be too much to place upon them also the burden of the cost of the public demonstrations of welcome and rejoicing. As the “show” will be witnessed by people from the country districts, who will crowd into s the, cities during tho stay of the Royal ■Visitors, it is but fair that the Gov- j

* eminent should, from the consolidated revenue, pay a share of the expenditure. The n repo sal of a pound-for-pound subsidy * within well-defined limits, so as to check undue extravagance, is eminently reasonable; and it is to be hoped that of. td-ir.orrov/’s TUGctlug flu will be arrived at on that basis. It will not lie creditable to New Zealand .f there is any further chaffering and wrangling oyeV Vm ' expenditure 'that ought to bo spontaneous and hearty, if it is to have any value as an expression of loyal devotion. It is not desirable to have invidious distinctions drawn between different municipalities, ah would bo the case if the Premier’s avowed intention of “sweeping Aside” certain, oi them were carried into effect. Tho proper course is to place all ou an equal tooting, and the best way to secure tins is for the Government to subsidise the ■expenditure of the City Corporations in the way suggested by Mr T. Kennedy Macdonald, New Zealand has hitlier' y shown a. commendable spontaneity and unanimity in making monetary and other sacrifices in the cause of Empire; let there bo no petty differences over tho smaller and simpler question of adequately celebrating tho forthcoming unique occasion in the colony’s history.