The Southland Times. FRIDAY, MAY 14, 1875.

Southland Times, Issue 2116, 14 May 1875, Page 2

The Southland Times. FRIDAY, MAY 14, 1875.

Me Daniel has done the public a service by bringing before the Council the question of unpaid Immigrants' Bills. We are at a loss to conceive why the authorities should require to be goaded to the performance of their duty in bo very simple a matter. To overlook any other valuable asset of the province would be reckoned a culpable neglect, and a good reason why this should bo made an exception has yet to be shown. There is nothing whatever in the nature of the debt to diminish its legal or moral obligation, aud the enforcement of payment should be tho simplest matter of business. Of course, we speak of cases where there is a manifest ability to pay. No fault would be found with a wise discretion, sparing those who had not thriven. But there is not, as far as we know, any contention that the large sum outstanding is not collected because it cannot be collected, or because mercy requires that a great portion should be remitted. The laxity seems to arise from a vague feeling that tbere was some thing formal in the transaction, and that there would be a smack of Shylock in the Government's insisting on the bond. But the sooner this notion is abaudoned, the better for all parties concerned. It ia not fair to the public that a large asset should not be realised, and it is demoralising to the debtors that they should be allowed to take the form of paupers, towards the State, when they are thriving men. "We are glad to notice, from Mr Eeid's reply, that measures are about to be taken, by way of example, and we hope it is the last time that a private member will have had to remind the Government of this I I