LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume V, Issue 223, 6 February 1865, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The “Herald” and Taxation. —Our contemporary lias at last given us a reply to our strictures on his leading article of the 21st ultimo. We had begun to fancy that he was inclined to allow sentence to go by default, but are glad he has found something to say in defence of his position, which we fear he has just a little shifted from that which it was. In our mind it seems that ‘ the unfair pressure which it was acknowledged that indirect taxation bears upon the lower members of the body politic,’ was considered by the writer to be more applicable to England, where capital exists in excess, than to New Zealand, where; of all things, we require its influx, and should, therefore, allow it advantages hardly its due ;” as if an altered adjustment were to be made, it would be against the interests of those who are now the sufferers, by reducing wages to a greater extent than the change would benefit them.” This is beyond question the argument as ; stated, and as it would be

understood by the;public, though not given wjth the same force, but qualified with sundry more “ mights,” “ ifs,” &e., the writer evidently fearing to commit himself to the full extent of the principle involved. But it seems that this absurdity was not intended to be perpetrated, and if we have only succeeded in procuring the admission that the ar umeut as we have given it is absurd, that is a point gained, especially as it enables the Herald to set ourselves and the public right as to the fact that its opinions are identical with ours as to the necessity of direct taxation as a remedy for existing evils, only differing from us in recommending delay for the present. The wind-up about mouthpieces and classes is almost unworthy of the Herald, and in bad taste as well. The public are quite aware of Avliora the Herald is the mouthpiece, and as we can safely say that we are not in any way an- -organ of, or connected with any class or party whatever, the insinuation is altogether without point.

The Witness “ Heta.” — We have received a note from the Rev. Father Reigner, requesting us to say that the -statement of the witness Heta, in so far as it relates to his having been sent by the priest because the prisoners wished to have evidence against the character of the woman “ Tauri,” is quite false, and the witness has confessed its untruth,- with his regret for having made such , a statement. We very gladly accede to the request of tbe rev. gentleman, and we think no person could have believed the statements of this (evidently) bad man worthy of credit.

Detention ' of the Lord Ashley.— "We beg to call attention to the fact that the sailing of the Lord Ashley, for Welling•ton and the Southern Ports, is delayed until to-morrow (Tuesday), at noon, in order to allow of time to receive the English mail, which it is expected will be brought up from the South by the Rangatira this day. (Vide .advertisement.)