Correspondence

Feilding Star, Volume XIII, Issue 32, 12 September 1891, Page 2

Correspondence

THE TRIUMPH OF THE LIBERALS, ro thk Eorr<»R op thk star. Sir, — My first impression on reading the letter of your correspondent " Optimist " was that this eccentric writer was indulging in a little mild sarcasm at the expense of Mr Ballamce; However, ott second thoughts, I concluded -that he waff expressing his genuine sentiments. It istruly refreshing, in these degenerate timeswhen the actions- of public men are re-- ' garded generally with more or less suspicion to find one who, with almost in- ,« iantfle" trust,, can pin his faith and hope* on the- promises of a New Zealand poli-, .. tician. This new edition of Mr Verdant Green has evidently, not troubled himself . to peep beneath the surface, or bis penetration wowld have been rewarded by dis^ > covering ' that these ' newly - i avowed; 11 friends of Equality and Liberty " are mere maskers' and time-serverß, ,The bland and debonnair John? Ballance toretain his JJIOOD a-year must feign » fraternal interest in " horny fisted Harry."' 1 For ways that ara dark : and »;trick£ that are vain" commend me 'the* -sham Liberal politician/ of New • Zealand.- --" Optimist " works his feelings' pp. to a?very decent pitch 'of excitement, and in J effect cries "Hurrah for Beer andSkittlesand Ballance 1" 1,, for one/ don't grudge 1 him his hero. He may worship him to his : heart's content, bat the beer and skittles' as.yiewed in "Optimist's" dream will never be realised during the Ballance'. regime. Why.?~ Simply because»they don't desire •it. The equalisation of property,-how-.ever desirable,, forms no part : of the programme of these ■white-handed.represen-tatives of labor.. Before'/joihing; inVtbv cheer for'Ballance, which "I trast forithecredit of the Liberal party will be shouteet by few, let us examine 'and see for oiuv telves if we have any great cause for rej oicing. What has become of the election pledges of these so-called Liberals, -are* they fulfilled ? What, efforts have been' made to reduce the burdens of the working class? None. Have they, stopped- the- ! exodus ? No, it has increased. Where*--is the tax on absentees so mu6h talked about? Why, where it will, ever be^'so^ ' so long as such political shams, as Ballance gull the electors. What has become of the pledge, to abstain from borrowing when our astute Government intend to dip into the* Sinking .Fund? 1 Where is the policy of economy, uwhenc- \ they begin by holding two sessions when? they could have done as well with one r - and finish by asking for an increased honorarium"? In the meantime, to taker attention off themselves and their doings,, with a great ' flourish they introduce the penny postage, as a great Liberal measure when, as a matter of fact very few will benefit by it except those who are well able to pay the present rate. TheFemale Franchise is also made a Government measure, the result of which, if it had been carried, would be theburdening of the co .nfcry ' with another large body of electors whose ; political ignorance is so -dense,,thaton the average not one in fifty could tell you the Premier's name, notwithstanding • it being^the Great Liberal^ Ballance— save the murk t In conclusion I think all true colonists will feel regret at the" resignation of such a straight-forward politician as John Bryce. — I am, &c., *-