The Wanganui Chronicle. "NULLA DIES SINE LINEA." WEDNESDAY. JANUARY 7, 1903. "SPOILS TO THE VICTORS."

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume XXXXVII, Issue 11814, 7 January 1903, Page 4

The Wanganui Chronicle. "NULLA DIES SINE LINEA." WEDNESDAY. JANUARY 7, 1903. "SPOILS TO THE VICTORS."

Thk Ministerial press will, so to speak, have to bite its literary finger-nails when next it sets out to declare that, there is nothing in the allegation that one of the first principles of Scddonian policy is "spoils to the victors." It has been known for a long time that such is the case, but now, strong in the strength of his continued power, the Premier has boldly admitted, as the "New Zealand Herald" puts it, that "Tammanyism is his rule of action iv the administration of the colony, in public works, and in everything else." Two immediate examples are quoted. First, there is that tckgram to Mr Jackson Palmer—"it h haul," remarked the Prime Minister of New Zealand, "to look over the ingratitude of tliose for whom you have worked so well. Certainly the miners of Waihi and Ohinemuri districts have shown w -selfishness that will not tend to make one interest himself in their favour." Nothing but "selfishness" could, in Mr Seddon's opinion, cause anyone to vote against the candidate favoured by the Government', although he proceeds to show that it would have been to their own selfish interest to have voted the other way. Then this "selfishness" "will not tend to make one interest himself in their favour." That is to say, thu Government works and Government expenditure are to be withdrawn as a punishment, and the constituency i.s to be neglected. But a still more conspicuous avowal of unblushing and unashamed Tammauyism was given a few days ago, when the Premier made a speech at a place called Scargill, on the occasion of the opening of an unnecessary railway. He said—"ln respectj to the public works expenditure, Canterbury had a very strong claim upon the Government, because it bad really sent to Parliament nothing but Government supporters, and it" would be the height of ingratitude if the Government did not take that into consideration It was much better to state boldly that where

there was a united people prepared to help themselves, and who were progressive and prepared to help a progressive Government, if the Government did not bear in mind their requirements., than it was no longer fit to be a Government." Could anything, asks .o\ir Auckland contemporary, be clearer than this? Canterbury, which is better furnished Avith roads and railways than any other part of the colony, is to have more, simp!;, because "it had really sent to Parliament nothing but Government supporters, and it would be the he:ght of ingratitude if the Government did not take that into consideration." It is not the wants of the district —its need of loads, or raihrays, or bridges —that ars to be taken into consideration, (but whether or not it sends "nothing but Government supporters." If it does so, then there is Government ex-

peuditure and public works. If it does not send Government supporters then these favours are withheld. This is a cool avowal of dictatorial power. He claims, practically, that he can do as he likes with the money of the public. "It is," he says, "much better to state boldly" that if the people ;ire "'progressive and prepared to help a progressive Government, if the Government did not bear in mind their requirements, then it was no longer fit to be a Government." If they do not support a "progressive Government" then that Government will not "bear in mind their requirements." . Who, now, will say that "spoils to the victors" is not a live plank in.the Ministerial platform?