THE PUBLIC ACCOUNTS COMMITTEE.

Timaru Herald, Volume XIC, Issue 13355, 3 August 1907, Page 4

THE PUBLIC ACCOUNTS COMMITTEE.

Hi is only right to direct attention In tlio protest uttnvd by Mr Massv.'y yesterday afternoon against llio Premier's refusal ti) give liim a place- upon (lie Public; Accounts CdiumittL'o. Sir Joseph Ward, it is line, made, the magnanimous offer to nibitiUit* tlia leader of tlio Opposition for one of the two niembein of hi; party who have besn permitted tu uccupy seals on Unit

Commit-t■ .-. but it, looks a.-, if Sir Joseph were trailing upon the ivitainty that Mr Massey would rtfitM> to ilu-placr aim,her member in that way. The utter, in fact, was only the- addition of insult to injury. We think the country will agie.- thu.. th.Leader of the Opposition, who Iwh'i; a [it(bition comparable in importance wit'i that of tin' Prcmi. r himself, should have every opportunity afforded him of making hinii.iclf acquaint il with the liiiance; of the colony. We do not suggest for a moment that tin- Government have e.vilud.d Mr Massey from the Public Accounts Committee with the delib-rat,- in tent ion of hampering thj Opposition in their taak of criticising the finance of the country, for in that case liny would have taken can- that so acirt. > ,a Knanci.r as Mr Jani'.ii Allen should also be missing from the Committer. Wu are therefore- at a loss, to understand the Premier's r-.Tucal to extend a harmless courtesy to his opponent, but we are sure that his attitude will not increase ihe respect in which h--is held by thu community at large.