Economy and Legislative Reform.

Southland Times, Issue 9540, 9 June 1887, Page 3

Economy and Legislative Reform.

TO THE EDITOR.

Si a, — Your issue of the 6th inst. contains a letter above the norn deplume " Pro Bono Publico," which, at the present juncture, deeerv* b the earnest attention of every wellthinking and patriotic person in tbe colony. There cannot bs two opinions in regard to the urgent necessity of economy in our public affairs, and r sweeping reform in our legislative machinery. The session just closing will cost the country something like L 40,000 ; and what have we got for this large ex enditure ? A cart load or so of waste paper, containing printed matter which ib seldom ever read. If I fully understand your correspondent, he suggests a reform and retrenchment platform. Everybody must agree with him in that, and with your permission, I would, suggest ibat a large pubic meeting be held ns early as possible, before which the following issues should bo placed, viz, — (1) legislative reform in the shape of reduztionof the cost of our Legislature; (2) the reduction of the salary and allowance of the Governor; (3) the reduction of Ministerial sal tries and allowances by one half, and the abolition of the Natires and Mines Departments; the State Forest D--partment nrght also very profitably be abo!i»hed ; (1; tbe redaction of the number of members of the House of Bepresentativeß,and redaction of the honorarium ; reform of the Council ; (5) retrenchment in every part of the administration : (6^ railway reform. The colony n&s now come to this position, that the taxpayers are groaning under the heavy burdens, and any increase of taxation ainuld be strenuously resisted in whatever guise it may be proposed. I woald further tuggent tae. formation of a reform association having' the foregoing ai a b^sie of ite constitution. — I am, etc., REFORM. Invercargill, 7tk June, 1887.