FAIRLIE AS A TEXT.

Timaru Herald, Volume XIIC, Issue 13808, 20 January 1909, Page 6

FAIRLIE AS A TEXT.

"Fail-lie needs a grant of £IOO towards the cost of a rifle range; therefore (satirically remarks the Wellington "Evening' Post,") it is necessary for the. Prime Minister, with a secretary, to descend upon the district and be * "deputatlonised' and to make a personal inspection. The Liberal Government professes to desire relief from the system of "government by agitation and deputation," but the policy of peripatetics encourages the evil to grow. Ministers are apt to become wandering minstrels, harping the Government's praises throughout the land. The Premier said that it -was- necessary in the cause of good government , for. him to completely tour New Zealand just prior to ■ tlie general elections. Does the same necessity exist just after the elections? •• Could he not have adequately gauged "the wants of all adoions of the community" during his preelection pilgrimage? • The more money that is spent in discovering the people's wants, the less money is available for their satisfaction. We agree that it may be advisable for a Minister to periodically make the grand tour of these islands to gain knowledge to be used as a check against the statements of members or the allegations of deputations, but the members of these excursions need to be strictly limited. Where is the member for the district supposed to come in under this regime of Ministerial personal inspection? "To welcome the' Minister at the. railway station and introduce deputations," rethe cynic. If Ministers are so busy keeping their' eyes and ears so close to local ground, how can they look ahead ? How can they .get a clear view of the future and shape a policy for the country as a" whole? The process of personal attention to petty details and personal inspection of £IOO rifle ranges keeps politics on a hand-to-mouth basis, on which their is no room for states-men.'"-It ivill.be observed the critic overlooked the reason for the Minister's visit to Fairlie—the opening of the new Post Office. ' '