Thoughts for the Times

Feilding Star, Volume XV, Issue 123, 23 November 1893, Page 2

Thoughts for the Times

(By H. C, Wilson, Waitnna.) Why is it that the members of the present administration class themselves as the only Liberals, and speaK of those who do not agree with them on all their measures as Conservatives, endeavouring to attach to the word a stigma or reproach, inferring thereby that the Seddon party are the patent, registered regenerators of the country, and that no one else can satisfy the wants of the people; that no one outside the ranks of their servile following can be acceptable to the community ? On the eve of a general election this Government stands at the bar of public opinion. How? say yon. Is it childlike simplicity, or political legerdemain ? Time was in the colony when every man's rights were respected. A decade back the employe" valued and tried his best to give satisfaction to the employer, who found the cash and the brains to provide work; a feeling of loyalty more or less actuated both parties. Of course I omit from this category the small minority of bad marks in both classes, but what do we find now ? We find this, sir : that persons with a little money are afraid to employ it in legitimate industrial channels; we find that wage earners are taught to look upon those better ofi than themselves in the things of this life as pests, as enemies, as persons who strive to keep the country back— to keep the poor always poor. What is the cause of this miserable state of things ? Why, nothing less than the legislative action of the self-styled Liberals, and the meddlesome interference of a class of members who, to make stire of £20 per month, worry wage earners to believe in grievances that have no exist, ence, in fact ; who do what they can to make straight things look crooked ; who assume a special appointment, to cure all wrongs, real and imaginary. How is it at the present day that this colony, with an export so large that it excites the envy and admiration of other colonies, cannot find employment for men and capital, both of which we possess ? How is it, with such Providential production, that trade is so bad the traders shake in their shoes in facing the 4th of the month. Sir, there can only be one answer in accounting for this all but universal paralysis, and that is : the administration of sham Liberalism. Let me ask one and all, before voting, to use the utmost judgment in discriminating be* tween the false and the real. New Zealand Liberalism is not necessarily the real thing because it is so labelled. Many a watch chain passes as gold when it is only brummagem. I, for one, care not what sort of men are in office so long as judgment, honor, and ability are supreme. No Government in this colony ever started under more favorable auspices. The three years now past have been years of great productiveness— three years of milk and honey in a creative sense. We have also had three years of administration which has failed to turn these Providential benefits into channels for the national good, else why continue high Customs duties ? else why the inability to grant enough money for decent ac« commodation to country schools ? Why so many out of work ? Why financial unrest and the funk in investing money and employing labour? Why, sic, it is because we have in the Ministry men who are good average politicians, men who would be entitled to consideration as private members. But still, then, who do not, who cannot, rise to the requirements of real Statesmanship. I do not seek to unduly bias the minds of voters, but I do entreat my brother settlers and fellow electors to ponder well the issue at stake. Let us insure the prosperity of this grand land by placing her destinies in the hands of the best administrators. Let us not be unmindful of the heritage of constitutional liberty, committed to our keeping by the brave and wise of by gone times.