THE Wairarapa Age MORNING DAILY. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 1907. FINANCE AND CRITICISM.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXX, Issue 8981, 15 November 1907, Page 4

THE Wairarapa Age MORNING DAILY. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 1907. FINANCE AND CRITICISM.

It has been the practice of the Government for many years to shield itself as far as possible from criticism of its finance by the Opposition by suggesting that damaging statements would go abroad, amd injure the credit of the country. When a gag of this kind is attempted to be applied one may reasonably suppose that there is something to conceal. If the financial transactions of the Government are above-board, clearly set out and lucidly explained, there can be no cause for the fear of criticism. Indeed, the more exhaustive the discussion the better. Criticism will then act as a polishing medium and make the transactions stand out with a brighter lustre. "Thrice arm'd is he that hath his quarrel just;" and a treasurer sound in his finance, and conscious of his probity, would, it might be supposed, court the fullest investigation by members of the Parliament. In any case, to attempt to muzzle discussion upon the country's finance is unconstitutional and improper.'and it leaves an unpleasant impression on the minds of the people when they are told that criticism is likely to damage the interests of the dominion in the money markets abroad. Yet this was the tone adopted by Sir Joseph Ward during the discussion of the Railways Improvements Authorisation Bill on Tuesday last. Mr Massey had traversed the various financial proposals in respect to loans, and pointed out that the Government was largely exceeding the annual million loan, which the dominionists had been led to expect would be the limit of borrowing. He quoted figures to show l that by various means the Government had acquired authority to raise close upon £3,000,000 during the currency of the year. The treasurer did not attempt any detailed refutation of Mr Massey's statement, but exhibited a supersensitiveness that was remarkable for a statesman professedly armed with the irrefutable logic of facts. If the leader of the Opposition was wrong in his conI elusions it should have been easy to

controvert him, and no injury could result. Instead, Sir Joseph Ward lllogically complained that Mr Massey'3 remarks might be cabled' Home, and prove most dangerous to the country's interests. Following this up, he rather childishly threatened to tell the High Commissioner in London all about. Mr Massey's criticism and the facts of the case, so as to stop the blight it might cast upon the money market! As we have said, no Government ought to fear criticism ; it is a fear that is bred of lack of courage and integrity, rather than of excess of patriotism If the finance is in any way unsound patriotism should insist upon remedial measures being adopted, and that can only be done through honest criticism in the first place. Attempts to cure disease in the State's finance will assuredly hava a beneficial effect upon our creditors abroad, rather than the reverse, as implied by the New Zealand Treasurer.