MATTERS POLITICAL.

Feilding Star, Volume XVIII, Issue 133, 4 December 1896, Page 2

MATTERS POLITICAL.

TO THE EDITOR. Sib,— ln 1893 when Mr Seddon stumped th. country, he told tbe electors in clear language tbat be would carry on the Government without borrowing in London market. He deceived himself as well as thousands mose. I never trust a man a second time who in a private deal has deceived me, and I submit that one who holds the high and important posi* tion of Premier of this colony should, like Ctesar's wife, be above suspicion. Has Mr Seddon deceived the people or not ? If he has, then no honorable person will vote for him or any of his following. We are told the country is prosperous. We have the settlement of tbe land engohsed. We have the list of labor laws enntuerated. Ia the country prosperous ? I say, no, but it would be if Mr Seddon and his party were hurled from office and a set of honest, truthful, intelligent men placed at tbe head of affiairs. Our exports in 1894 amounted to £9,239,277, bnt last year tbey fell to £8,556,505. The Manchester block, one of the most prosperous districts in New Zealand, was settled witbont the aid of the Government. The settlers brought muscle, energy, and money to their sections. The much Taunted settlement of lands by Mr John McKenzie has cost the taxpayers the sum of £1258 for each settler or for every man, woman and child the sum of £587. But some one says tbey are paying good interest. Yes; Pomahaka pays about one per centum per annum, and every settler in the Manchester Block wbo votes for Mr Seddon's nominee will be supporting the above extravagant, bungling scheme of land settlement, and by adding to the taxation reduce the value of his own land. And what have the labor laws done for laborers? Harm and nothing but harm. A workman from Wellington has lately gone to Durban, South Africa, and be now asks bis brother to join bim, because he says there are no interfering labor laws, there is no grand-motherly legislation there, work is plentiful, no unemployed ; he has worked on a push, including overtime, 110 hours a week at per hour, so that be is making and saving money. I am, &c, George Wilks.