THE Grey River Argus. PUBLISHED DAILY. MONDAY, JUNE 12, 1871.

Grey River Argus, Volume XI, Issue 897, 12 June 1871, Page 2

THE Grey River Argus. PUBLISHED DAILY. MONDAY, JUNE 12, 1871.

The democratic members of the United States Congress have recently issued an address to their constituents upon the present condition of the affairs of the Union. They point out the evils under which they believe the country to be laboring, and call upon the people to endeavor to counteract the disastrous policy of the present administration. This address contains allusions which would so forcibly apply to New Zealand that we cannot forbear quoting them. The reader has only to make a few slight alterations in names to at once discover the close parallel ; — "The time and attention of the Radical leaders have been almost wholly directed to devising such legislation as will in their view best preserve their ascendancy, and no regard for the restraints imposed by the Constitution has checked their reckless and desperate career. " For " Radical leaders" read " the Fox-Vogel Ministry," and the preceding paragraph faithfully painta the Ministerial policy of the lasl session. The document, referring to past experience of the Government, goes on to say, " When the sad experience of the last two years, so disappointing to the hopes and generous confidence of the country, is considered with the rash purposes of those who control the Presidential policy it is not surprising that the gravest apprehensions for the future should be entertained. At a time when labor is depressed, and every material interest is palsied by oppressive taxation, public offices have been multiplied beyond all precedent to serve as instruments in the perpetuation o£ power. Partizanship is the only test applied to the distribution of the vast patronage." Could any language better describe the career of the present Ministry of New Zealand ? They were elevated to office on the faith of promises to effect large reductions in the cost of government. Ihey were to bring native affairs into such a condition as would keep the expenditure oh that item within the ordinary revenue. They were to reduce taxation and economise the public service. They have done none of those tilings. In the first year of office they expended more money than their predecessors on native affairs, and last session managed by a subservient majority to obtain a vote of £180,000 a year for five years, outside the ordinary revenue for native purposes ! They promised to economise the public service and reduce taxation. They have created more fresh appointments, and more lavishly squandered the public monies in salaries to partizans than any previous Government in New 'Zealand.' Further on, we find another apt sentence for quotation: — "Reform in the revenue and fiscal systems, which all experionce demonstrates to be necessary to the frugal administration of the Government, as well as a measure of relief to an overburdened people, have been persistently postponed, or wilfully neglected. Congress now adjourns without having even attempted to reduce taxation, or to

repeal the glaring impositions by which industry is crushed and impoverished." These comments would forcibly apply to the proceedings of the last session of the Assembly. .Taxation instead of being decreased was largely increased and an attempt, but barely defeated, was made by the Ministry to still f ur'cher paralyse the industry of the colony by increased taxes upon the necessaries of life. The document concludes with an appeal which would be equally in place in this colony — " Our hopes for redress are in the calm good sense and second thought of the American people. We invite their generous co-operation irrespective of all former differences of opinion— that the burden of taxation, direct or indirect, may be reduced to the lowest point consistent with the good faith to every just national obligation, and with a strictly economical administration of the Government." It is only by such a co-operation amongst the people of New Zealand that the weight of taxation which is prostrating every branch of industry can hope to be reduced. Their voices have been uplifted for long, but with no more effect than the cries of the followers of Baal on Mount Carmel. But the salvation of their best interests must sooner or later drive them to action — strong, united, an determined action — which will startle the rulers of the country into a due sense of their duties and responsibilities, and for ever make it impossible for a repetition of the gambling, unscrupulous, and venal policy which has guided the affairs of New Zealaad for the last two years.