Ministers Appointments.

Opunake Times, Volume IV, Issue 180, 26 May 1896, Page 3

Ministers Appointments.

Mr Duthie, in his very able adress at Hawera, referred to the appointments Ministers were accepting or giving to themselves on directorates, putting themselves upon salary. They had the expense of Mr Valentine getting information at great public expense, and being allowed to take that with him, and then appearing as principal man of a company of which Messrs McKenzie and Ward were colonial directors. Then Messrs Gordon and Park, of the Mines Department, were engaged by a foreign syndicate about to exploit the mines of New Zealand and they had the former acting as attorney and signing notices for this syndicate on 15th April, while he was still in the Government service. No one blamed these men for getting positions carrying high salaries, but it was strange to see them while still in the Government service giving notices demanding surrender of lands of which men had been in occupation for many years under Government Licenses, and which occupation had only just been found to be illegal. Then there was Mr Seddon himself accepting a position under this syndicate. No doubt he also had a right to accept such things, but not to lend his name as Premier. His excuse was that “as the highest authority in New Zealand he had been asked to assist this capital into legitimate channels so that the mining wealth of the colony might be properly developed,” &c., But Mr Duthie pointed out that this was a speculative concern, and was it right that it should by appointing Mr Seddon get the benefit of the knowledge which he and" the Departments he controlled, acquired officially and at the public expense ? (No, and) applause.) Those promoters did no mining, but made immense sums by floating companies, and what assistance it would be to them to be able to use the name of the Premier of New Zealand as a guarantee. It was mentioned in Wellington that Mr Seddon wes to get £760 per annum; if Mr Seddon only knew the value to them of the Premier of New Zealand he could as easily have got £IO,OOO. Then he had put himself on the Assets Board, where he was not at all required, for Mr Foster, who knew all about the business, with two or three ordinary directors at small fees could have managed very well. Yet £1,500 was divided between Mr Seddon and two others. So that with his mining billet and his Assets Board, and his salary as Minister or member, he was nicely provided for. In fact, Ministers generally were doing well. (A laugh.) The Native Minister having made a good deal of money out of Native land at Danevirke got himself “ whitewashed ” by election for Auckland; another member whose death they now all deplored, but that did not affect the fact, was made a judge; Mr Beeves was Agent General, and Mr McKenzie had a directorship or two. Mr Carrol was—well, comfortable. (A laugh.) He was only allowed 80s a day travelling expenses, but last year he drew £6Ol for travelling expenses, so that he must have been travelling about 400 days in the year. (Benewed laughter.) Mr Ward he was sorry for. He only got about £350 a year for one directorship, and could not be said to be well treated, but perhaps in time something would turn up. It would be seen that Ministers were carefully looking after themselves (Applause.)