MR, JOHN MASON ON THE SITUATION.

Auckland Star, Volume X, Issue 1707, 7 August 1875, Page 4

MR, JOHN MASON ON THE SITUATION.

[To the Editor of the Evening Star.]

Sir, —It appears to me that the undercurrent of popular feeling is decidedly in favor of Government. We, of the middle class, accept the terms initiated. We, as a body of working men, believe that the legislative powers, pro tern, are doing the best for our interests. We take it for granted that the bills before Parliament have derived their issues in the mother country. Be that as it may, we accept them as the emanation of brain. It is futile to notice letters published in your journal, or others. In the representation of popular ideas, I can only indite the conclusions emanated from the people in respect to the measures propounded by Government.

A centre of Government we accept in its

v entirety; because we believe that justice * will be me meted out to the population ■'irrespective of individuals. In reviewing the action of Government, it is possible there may be some mistakes. We take it for granted that financially, in general revenue, they have a good estate, with better prospects. So far so good. In the programme put forward it appears to us thatj Cor porations, Road Boards, and mining districts have been amply provided for. It appears to us that the Government propose to make a first charge upon the receipts from land sales in appropriation to payments of interest on loans in respect to the provinces. This to our view, is what has long been required. To our mind it is a direct blow, indirectly speaking, at the land assets of the colony, the' proceeds to be appropriated as represented. In reference to Auckland as a province, we have no landed estate or revenue therefrom to provide interest, but we assume ' that Government, treating New Zealand as a whole, will see justice done, in every sense of the word, to every individual. In reference to our having no paternal estate, as everyone charges us with, doubtless Government will exercise their powers from time to time in purchasing from the Maoris, and that they will recoup themselves by sales of lands under judicious settlement or otherwise, by leases under improvement clauses. With ordinary discretion Auckland will, in all probability, have- her land fund. The only question is how, under existiag circumstances, are we to meet the liabilities imposed by the impending Acts of the General Assembly, it is impossible, unless some substantial provision is made so as to secure Auckland. We the people of Auckland admit the generosity of the Government principles in reference to the colony, but we, as a province claim to be exempt fr.oni,casu» alties, but in legislation we desire to be placed upon a par with our brethren of the South. We claim to no privileges or advantages all we ask is fair dealing. We are all agreed upon one issue, and that is that under any circumstances the Provincial Governments must be abolished and we have determined to oppose every candidate in any future election who will not accord to the , foregoing views. For the associated traders, T. Mason.—P.S. Any final Changes,cannot at present be entertained. We regard everything of this sort as claptrap. On this subject we the people are not to be caught j iD a mouse-trap still less in a rat-trap. ]