THE COLONIST. Published Daily-Morning. Nelson, Friday, August 21, 1896.

Colonist, Volume XXXIX, Issue 8642, 21 August 1896, Page 2

THE COLONIST. Published Daily-Morning. Nelson, Friday, August 21, 1896.

RESPONSIBILITIES OF GOVERNMENT. The view that those entrusted "with the administration of the affairs of the Colony have nothing more to do than to mislead the people by more or less specious arguments, or by idle talk to defeat the aims of those actuated by noble desires, is so persistently presented by irresponsible opponents of the Ministry, that it could be scarcely wondered at if the bulk of the people concluded that Ministers have no real responsibilities. Unfortunately for those who seek to advance such views, reports of actual achievements are now and again forthcoming. It may be that important work is pursued without ostentation for months at a time, and then no regard whatever is paid to the services rendered, services which necessitate great thought and considerable liability. We have now before us a report which may on the face of it claim no attention from the country settler, for at firat glance it has nothing to do with the landsman. A little thought, however, will suffice to show that even the most remote settler is interested. We refer to the report of the Marine Department which shows on the face of it that great thought has been devoted to* the safeguarding of the water borne trade of the Colony. The people of this Colony are beholden to the Old Courtry and to • other lands for many of the luxuries enjoyed by the people, but of still greater importance is the pathway by which surplus products are sent to distant markets, with the result ihat the Colony is able to keep its engagements, for without the latter honor would he sacrificed. In order to indicate the proper pathway of commerce it is needful ihat our coasts should be lighted, and that the dangers of those who go down to the deep should be reduced to a minimum. In old established countries it is scarcely too much to expect that every great danger should be indicated by a warning light, but we have quoted from the report alluded to, and have shown that in these islands no fewer than thirtyfour principal lights are nightly «-

hibited as a warning io marinerg, *.fc an annoalco .-t of some £14 000, without cool tmg infc.rest on the congtvnetion_ of the lighthouses. But tin Marine Department has not only to boll up dagger signals to warn mariners from rocka aud shoals, for ii has to provide safeguards by preventing the ovtrloadiug of vabs lv, seeing that they are manned by competent sailors, and in other ways. Those who read tbis one report oan soarooly fail to appreciate tbe fact that the Government bear responsibilities which the unthinking never dream of, and when other important work ib alao taken iafo account, the vapid attacks of those who, failing to recognise -ervioes rendored to humani y, make light of lh3 doings of the Government, must ba regarded as emanations from tboje whose vindiotiveness distorts their vision or who, laoking in at least one sense, are to be pitied, A Government may attempt to pass legi lation that it believes would be beneficial and it may even negleot #ome oppor unities in tbat direction, bat those who think at til will regard the effotts t > safeguard life and to lighten the p th of produoa as of greater importance than many proposals that tickle the can of those who are easily t ffeoled,