UNNECESSARY EXPENDITURE

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXI, Issue 6787, 7 April 1909, Page 4

UNNECESSARY EXPENDITURE

At the present time, when, the need for economy is engaging the public mind, it is proper to call attention to the fact that vice-regal representation in this country is running away with too much money. Under existing conditions it costs the Dominion something like £IO,OOO a year for tho remuneration and upkeep of the governors who are sent here to maintain Imperial prestige. The salary of his Majesty's representative is £SOOO per annum, and " other charges," such as travelling expenses, etc., amount to about £2500. Besides this, the Governor is provided with free quarters, and no doubt repairs, ground maintenance, and the care and upkeep of gardens, etc., total a considerable amount. It is proposed l now to spend £25,000 in erecting a new residence for viceregal occupation on land that is quite equal in value; and there is also tho expense and upkeep of a guard cf Permanent Artillery. Included in the .general expenditure under this head is the cost of special trains and steamers whenever his Excellency and his friends and suite desire to go on fishing or shooting excursions or for a trip round the coasts of New Zealand, or whenever the Governor feels called upon to attend public or private functions. It is, of course, essential that Great Britain should have an official representative in each of the dependencies where self-government obtains, but it seems to us that in a small community like this, even high State functions could be discharged on a scale more' 1 in keeping with our simple needs and democratic tastes. It is absurd to contend that the perpetuation of. this office at so great an expense can be justified, cither on the ground of benefits received or traditions to be maintained. It is commonly supposed that an essential gubernatorial function is the dispensation of hospitality to his Majesty's lieges, but this is largely a fiction. The most popular governers

are not those who spread rich feasts for select cotories; but those who move about freely amongst the " common people," interesting themselves in current concerns, and taking a lively interest in such utilitarian projects as go to promote the genuine advancement of the communities in which they reside. The chief motive, we maj- take it, which primarily actuates the gentlemen who accept service at the outposts of Empire is a patriotic desire to render effective service to tho Mother State. Frequently they are wealthy men to whom emolument is quite a secondary consideration. Our pioneer governors, and many of their succes-. sors, have been men of simple tastes, and it is quite obvious that many of the extravagances which now surround their occupation have been thrust upon them from without. It may be that £SOOO a year is not too much for a governor's salary provided that ho is prepared to help in paying for the essential services of his own establishment, and also the expenses incurred in his private recreations and entertainments. It is not proper that the taxpayer, who is often hard pressed to make ends meet, should be put to unnecessary expense in maintaining an institution which, after all, is merely an embodiment of tho conventionalities of statesmanship. -Wo like to have the King's representative amongßt us, and to do him honour as such, but at a time when public services are being generally discussed, and it seems that representation of this character has become too great a drain upon our resources, then in honesty it devolves I upon us —quite dispassionately and impersonally—to say so.