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Feilding Star, Volume XIV, Issue 101, 14 February 1893, Page 2

Whilst in conversation recently with a prominent member of the Opposition on matters political we referred to the question of Government finance, with the remark that we thought the Government's Land and Income Tax had been a success. " Yes," remarked our political friend, " there's no doubt about it. The Government have scored well with their finance. Their financial policy has relieved the small farmers considerably and increased taxation has been allotted to the shoulders of those better able to bear it — tiie big land owners. Cases were quoted of small settlers paying less under the Land Tax of the present Government than they did under the Property Tax, and however much many settlers disagreed with the Government's Land Legislation the fact was patient to all that the small fanner benefitted greatly under the present Land and Income Tax. The weakness of the Government lies in their administration, and that is where they will be attacked." Kindly reference was also made to Mr Ballancc's ill health, and a hopi expressed for that lion, gentleman's .speedy return to robust health. We have opened a subscription list in this office for the relief of the sufferers by the recent heavy Hoods in Queensland. In this connection we may state; that the Government have arranged that all contributions in the shape of goods will be conveyed by rail to the nearest port free of charge, and they will also settle for the freight to Brisbane. Money contributions may be setit through the Colonial .Secretary, Wellington. As the great est destitution now prevails and much help will be required, we would urge on the benevolent and charitable to make all possible haste in coming to the assistance of the unhappy sufferers from this terrible calamity. We have already received some small amounts which will be duly acknowledged. When tho Hou Mr Sknmski lolographod from Ottinaru to tho Premier oxpostulatmg with tbo latter because of his objoc» ciou to ltussian Jews being sent to tho colonies, ho did so because he bolieyod a slur was boiug cast upon his co-religion-ists. Ho, very truly, said that tho Jows mudo good colouists, wore excellent husbands anil fathers, and so on, stutemonts which no man dare deny, but the lion Mr Shrimski was " barking up tho wrong tree" and in his reply tho Uon the Premier said : — '* I have received your telegram. With regard to tho first point it is not on the ground of religion that wo object to the arrival of theso 500 Jew*. Our action would bo precifoly the same if they were Christians or Mahoinmedans, As regards the uext point, while admit ting that tho Jows m tho colony wore good citizens, it surely docs not follow that five hundred paupers (with more to follow) sent out by the Charitable Aid .Society, is a desirables advent, ami as to this point it is distinctly tho duty of a Liberal Government to protect its own peoplo, whose happiness mid welfare; anin its koejping, from an influx of paupers.'