NO MORE SPOILS

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 8609, 20 December 1913, Page 4

NO MORE SPOILS

Tho claim of tho self-styled “Reform” Government that it has abolished political patronage throughout Xcw Zealand has long ceased to be regarded seriously by anybody with eyes to see and the sense to understand. Over at Xclson the gentleman who holds the exalted position of president of tho local branch of the Political “Reform” League, which is purported to ho run “in tho interests of good government,” has at all events not been entirely overlooked. He has been nominated by the Tory Government to a place on an important local body and has also been professionally employed —and no doubt well paid- as solicitor to a Royal Commission. We do not know that there is anything verv dreadful in this. The gentleman may bo in every way tittcd_ for the honours and engagements which haw been provided for him by his political Friends. He may even be eminently suited to preside‘over the supremely important gatherings and business of that branch of the "Reform” League that is principally concerned in getting Mr Atmorc, tho present able Independent Libera! member, out of Parliament. But while wo do not complain about the circumstances that exist, it is reasonable to say that what is being done bv the “Reform” Government is just exactly the opposite to what all its protestations involve. It was definitely promised, with wearisome repetition and exaggerated emphasis, that with the advent of “Reform” the Government would he absolutely politically colour-blind in its administration and its anpointments. There was to be ushered in an era of impartial purity, in which a man’s politics should be entirely ignored and of no account in tho distribution of public positions either of honour or payment. But it can surely not bo put down altogether to coincidence that, as a matter of sober experience, all the cligibles ar© discovered in tho exclusive ranks of “Reform,” and that it might just as well be proclaimed in the “Gazette” that no Liberals need apply. Rumour is persistently connecting tho names of prominent “Reform” League officers with the fact that a largo number of vacancies in the Legislative Council will have to be filled very shortly, and some of tho faithful branch presidents are said to he feeling very proud and confident. Tho latest plank of the “Reform” party is understood to be that there is nothing like making hay while the sun shines.