THE ENGLISH AMBASSADORS.

Manawatu Times, Volume IV, Issue 59, 28 July 1880, Page 2

THE ENGLISH AMBASSADORS.

In those days, when it is the fashion to sift every item of unauthorised expenditure, we are considerably surprised that some inquiring legislator, wit'a a thirst for knowledge, has not discovered by whose authority the Lincolnshire Delegates were invited, .to, the Colony ? How it came to pass that" representatives from that shire, l and from that shire alone, were represented ? and from wkat fund their expenses Were paid ? "VfhUo the EngU»h_iarmers

were making their triumphal tour throughout the land, travelling m state, and putting up at the best hotels, it little dawned upon the people of New /Zealandvthat the'", representative i '' men about whom such a fuss was 'being made were. th.eir own; unasked guests, and for #hose entertainment they would be expected to dive iiito their pockets. But so it was, nevertheless; the men about whom districts manoeuvred, who were lionised and f6ted, .tui\ned_ojlt to be very far from what th ey . ' we. j c to be t es chosen by the Farmers' Union to report upon the capabilities of New but visitors for whose pleasure, ediQoatiqnj and instruction the colony had to pay very dearly through the nose. Of course we do not m the least biame either Mr. GrEANTor Mr. Fobsteu, fruit doet not matter whether their visit was' the result of a proposition from themselveg qr ,an , iuvitatipn from the. Government," so long as the very onesidod ternis upon which it. ,was to be made was agreed to by the latter. A great fuss/has been "made m th» House at the prqmise made, to the Commissiptiei': bf Railways of granting- fiini a bonus! !; providing h« acoomplished a desired ond'irithe v working" of- that department: We, hj no meaus palliate that st'eprbut surely it is not nearly so reprehensible to incur an /unauthorised expenditure Upon a guarantee that a very substantial .jhe^efit. .shall-' accrue, r as to recklessly- rash into unautkorised expense, with* little o.r m o. certainty of a retai*n> O^nsideririg the mystery a,nd mißconcep,tipn which has Wen entertained with, regard td|thei»suin'g of the " invitations," and the peculiar footing Upon 51 vrhich ; the J " delegates'" wiere, it is a matter for surprise that some inquisitive legislator not <( wanted' to lj;now, ypu know/