INJUSTICES.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 864, 9 July 1910, Page 6

INJUSTICES.

THE NORTH ISLAND AND OLD SOLDIERS' CLAIMS. Sir, —The thanks of the people of this North Island arc duo to you and to other journals that have recently exposed and compelled attention to the injustice that has been perpetrated upon them by the present South Island Government in connection with railway matters. The linoqual treatment of the tivo islands all along and the barefaced disparity in-the allocation of moneys in favour of the South Island last session has (thanks to their- exposure) opened people's eyes, and I am thankful to notice has thoroughly arousfcd and awakened the North Island to the fact that they have for years been robbed and spoiled for the benefit of the South. The Noi;th is at- last beginning . to "■squeak," and very soon that "squeak" will have changed into a roar, and then the self-contrcd North Island members who have basely stood by ami seentheir constituents being spoiled, will be cast- into political outer darkness. I have said "stood by," but -it would bo nearer flic truth to say, helped 011 the spoliation. You would be doing a good work, Mr. Editor, if you would publish the names of the nine NorthIsland members who voted against Sir. Lang's motion' last session. v It must not be supposed, however, that tlio railways are the only instance of unequal a.nd unjust treatment. The same thing is going on in connection with the whole of t-ho public_ services, and 011 a future occasion I will favour you with some; very glaring instances in this connection'. I wish, however, just now to draw your attention- to

the matter of the old soldiers'- claims. Xou will remember that last session, under pressure, the lliglit Hon. the l'finic Minister promised that tho magistrates throughout tho Dominion should he authorised.and empowered to inquire into and report upon all such, claims during the recess, and that the inquiry should begin•. last February .in time for tho reports ;uul recommendations to be dealt with by tho House this present session. The. present session has begun, but so far as I can. ascertain the inquiry lias not yet be-' gun, and how tho House is to deal with these claims is not easy to - sea. It looks .as tnougli these poor old- men have cruelly hoaxed once more. So public intimation lias bccii l as to when, where, or under what circumstances the claims are to be inquired into, and most of these .helpless old men are' entirely ignorant as to the proceedings. Was it ever intended to settle these claims? I doubt it! These claims will nevoi- be settled with a Soirtli Island Cabinet in power! The reason why these claims were not settled long ago was because the country has been so long dominated by an unsympathetic South Island Government, who . haTe always either • directly or indirectly opposed their settlement. ' But what shall wo say for those North Island members who permit these.unjust things to be done?—l am, etc., ' KOKffil.