The Feilding Star. Published Daily. SATURDAY, SEPT. 23, 1890. A SEVERE CRITIC.

Feilding Star, Volume XV, Issue 73, 23 September 1893, Page 2

The Feilding Star. Published Daily. SATURDAY, SEPT. 23, 1890. A SEVERE CRITIC.

It is evident that the prosent Liberal party; who havo dono so ruiuh to increase tho burdens of the people by vexatious taxation and misgovernaieut, have not succeeded in making many friends, but on the contrary have turned many of their old supporters from thorn, and increased tho virulence of their cuouies. As a caso in point wo quote some remarks made by Mr John Holraos, formerly M.H.T?. for Christchurch, who luis recently returned to the colony niter a trip Home. Referring to tho Lauds for Settlement Bill, he says : — " Little did I think, when fighting the battles of honest liberalism, I should live to see a Government, falsely culliug itBelf liberal, attempt to pass a law destroying security of tenuro of laud and proposing v scheme of eviction that would appal tho hearts of the most tyrannous Scotch lairds or Irish landlords that ever comnuunJod the BOrTJOCS of tl>» crowt>«i- I>i-i=-s»<l ««s-" The Minister of Lands, he points out, '• seeks power to evict peremptorily any owner of the land of New Zealand, whethor he owns 100 acros or 10,000 acres, from any part or parts of his land tho Minister pleases, and distribute them on easy terms with his supporters. He could take under it a farmer's honaestetid, and pink out the eyes of his farm against the owner's wish, and in breach of the owner's contract with the public to bo secured in the undisturbed possession of his lands. Tho Autocrat of Kuesia nevor claimed to exercise a powor so arbitrary ; the infamous trio, Messrs Dantan, Marat, and Robespierre, never attempted actions so unjust and tyrannical." After referring to tho Shop Hours, Noxious Weeds, Compulsory Arbitration, aud inquisitorial Labour Department Bills, Mr Holmes concludes: — "How long is this iutolerable 6tate of this things to continue 'i Aro there no men loft in New Zealand prepared to staud shoulder to shoulder to protect those rights and liberties which our ancestors fought for uud won ? " We think there are such mon. and that the coming election will bring them to the front.