THE GLOBE. SATURDAY, MAY 14, 1881. MR. SAUNDERS AT WAIKARI.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2250, 14 May 1881, Page 1

THE GLOBE. SATURDAY, MAY 14, 1881. MR. SAUNDERS AT WAIKARI.

Me. Saunders represents a country constituency which appears to he very well satisfied with their member. And indeed the member for Cheviot seems eminently adapted for his position, for he holds very stirring notions on the relative merits of town and country. “ God made the country and man made the town " is his creed, and he is quite prepared to illustrate this aphorism by taxing the towns to any extent, and leaving the country, as being the peculiar possession of its Maker, free of imposts. According to Mr. Saunders, the agriculturist is a sort of churchwarden whose daily occupation is to collect certain more or less sacred products, and to garner them in consecrated buildings adapted to the purpose. These products are then sold to certain heathen who dwell in Christchurch and other walled and unwalled cities. That the profit of such a transaction is pocketed by the agriculturist himself is a mere accident which does not interfere with the pious nature of the calling pursued by the tiller of the soil. As among the ancient Egyptians, so in New Zealand—• the class that raise wheat, oats, and even the homely cabbage, are sanctified by their exertions and rank next to the priestly and warrior castes. Mr. Saunders’ grievance is that the real character of constituencies such as his has not been recognised by the body politic. They are unfairly taxed and unfairly represented.

Mr. Saunders fully ventilated these ideas at Waikari, and his audience were naturally pleased with the new light thrown on their social position. With such views individuals living outside the charmed circle can hardly be expected to agree, but, notwithstanding, they will find much instructive reading in Mr. Saunders’ speech. On his general views on political questions we do not propose to dwell, but his personal experiences are always interesting. He is one of the few Government supporters who are absolutely acquainted with the inner life of the Opposition and are able to tell us from personal experience how rotten are the foundations on which they have built their edifice. On this subject Mr. Saunders is always fresh and interesting from the simple reason that he narrates what he has seen. He was lured into the Greyite camp by the veiled prophet of Kawau and by the high sounding catch calls used by his followers. Mr. Saunders was mercifully enabled to lift the veil, and to view the prophetic countenance. Those who have read Moore’s stirring poem will realize what ho saw there. Mr. Saunders was, happily, equal to the occasion and, more lucky than the heroine in the story, was enabled to make his way out, a free, but a sadder and a wiser man. When speaking of such experiences, a man must always be graphic and picturesque. Mr. Saunders makes some very sensible remarks on the present position of the squatter. As a political power, he looks upon him as defunct, and he treats with severity the unfair attacks that are levelled against a class that, although powerful in days gone by, have now scarcely any power whatsoever in the House.