THE POSTAL IMPOST ON NEWSPAPERS

Colonist, Volume VIII, Issue 758, 27 January 1865, Page 3

THE POSTAL IMPOST ON NEWSPAPERS

Beyond a business notice to our subscribers we bave said nothing on the subject of this tax ; and now we have only a few words to offer. That it is a most impolitic and illjudged tax almost every one allows. Iv a colony like ours, where distances are so great between towns, and opportunities of communication necessarily restricted; where, moreover, the only thing in the shape of literature, such as it is, that reaches many inland districts from month's end to month's end is the newspaper —it seems particularly unwise to place obstacles in the way of its free circulation. It will check that hand to hand transmission which at present is not inconsiderable, and will produce but a small amount in the shape of extra taxes. What we object to, also, in this new charge is the manner of its imposition. To inflict a now tax of any kind by order in Council, is, strictly speaking, unconstitutional. True, the power to do so by Proclamation was vested in the Governor, by the Postal act of 1858 ; but such a course is, at tho best, unpopular and unsatisfactory. Doubly so does it become when such a step is taken immediately after tho prorogation of the Assembly. If we are to be taxed, we desire that the tax be constitutionally laid on, by the representatives of the people, and not. at tho will of one man. The Postmaster-General has not by this step added anything to his scanty laurels. It is like stealing a march on the Assembly, before which such a proposition would at once have been negatived; as it will very promptly be if the Ministry do not rescind the Proclamation before the next Parliament assembles. Indeed-we should not be surprised to find it countermanded before it comes into operation. But the thing itself is cheeseparing in the extreme. It is levying a new tax which would be very generally felt instead of reducing ill-judged expenditure in various ways in the Post-office department. A most expensive, and non-returnable telegraphic line is being prematurely laid at a cost, for plant alone, of something like £80,000 # besides the salaries of a working staff who will' be well paid, and not half employed as many of the post-office officials are. There was tho insane Panama scheme gravely propounded, and yet in the face of proposed and actual expenses like these the. Postmaster-General deems it necessary, for purposes of revenue, to obtain a thousand or two from a penny postage on newspapers ! This, we presume, is what is to be understood as New Zealand Statesmanship. Nor is this all. Favoritism and nepotism contribute largely to the cost of the department. Incapable servants are retained on the lamest possible pretence, and

we know that scores of blunders occur in different offices which in no well controlled department would be tolerated. And the worst of it is that people are pitchforked into office altogether unfitted for it; the work is unsatisfactorily performed by these, or others have to be "paid to do it. For an example of double offices take the Inspectoi'ahip of Post-Offices. That is a creation of the Whitaker-Fox Ministry, and, properly worked, without fear or favor, with impartiality and sharpness for the prompt service of the public, it is no doubt a very necessary office, for all post-offices require more or less looking after. But there are two in this position; an Inspector and a Sub-Inspector, the latter of whom is a thorough master of all matters pertaining to post-office management, the former having had no experience whatever in the business when he was so fortunate as to be appointed. Mr. Crawford, the Inspector, was originally employed as a geologist by the "Wellington Government to search for gold in that province. He failed to find it, and the period of his engagement expired, He afterwards was appointed Eesident Magistrate in Wellington ; but quickly laid clown that office, Mr. Crawford and tho people of Wellington can best tell the reason. He was then appointed to some office on the Marlborough gold-fields, but left that also. Lastly he was, by the Fox Ministry, made the first holder of the office I of Inspector of Post-ofiices; though from what qualifications for such a peculiar and particular post we cannot say. Shortly afterwards Mr. Gray was appointed subinspector, and he with his large postal experience both in Scotland and here, is without doubt, tho man best fitted for the work in all New Zealand. But why have two men to do tho work which one can perform ? Thi^ is a sample of officialism in nearly every department of Government. Why should a ministry who so misspends the public money as in the instance we have referred to, and would spend more in the same way, ask in an unconstitutional way for a thousand or two by a paltry tax on newspapers and newspaper readers ?