RANDOM REMARKS.

King Country Chronicle, Volume III, Issue 150, 26 April 1909, Page 5

RANDOM REMARKS.

• Mr Hofrg may fairly claim to know something of the King Country, seeing tha| be has just completed a tour of the dsitrict, and the fact that the Minister has been sounding the praises of the district broadcast is proof of the manner in which the country appealed to him. Everything that met the Ministerial eye had its own particular virtue: the soil, the scenery, the bush, the climate; everything in fact but the roads, was more than a shade better than the same thing in other districts. Needless to remark, the settlers were beyond criticism. Of such a stamp were they indeed, that they even deserved good roads, and he intends that they shall have them. This is exactly the manner in which we have been yearning to impress the Ministers, and Mr Hogg is in danger of becoming popular in the district. As a matter of fact there would be no doubt of the popularity, if he did not happen to be Minister for Roads. Seeing tint be does occupy that important position, opinion is withheld until after the next estimates appear. Should the district receive the attention due to it in the matter of roads, Mr Hogv's future visits will take the form of triumphal marches, and King Country hospitality will be dispensed with a prodigal hand, provided the inhabitants are not all incarcerated in ML. Eden under the famous Act.

Speaking of the Act there is widespread agitation concerning the manner in which it is made to apply to this distressful country. However, talk never accomplished anything, and antes* the eloquence being squandered at present in impotent outbursts, is the forcTunncr of action things will remain as they are. Why not enlist he sympathies of Mr Hogg? Impress him with the fact that* his Garden of Eden requires something in addition to roads to make it attractive to settlers. Suggest also that the something referred to vitally affects the liberties of the brave and hardy pioneers, and is likely to undermine the moral strength and independence of character, which should be a first essential in the manhood of any nation. These things should "surely enlht the interest and attention of not only Mr Hogg, but of all who have any claim to public spirit in the Dominion. Compared with the roads and the Native Land Question, the Act infliction *»hou!d be easy to deal with. Unfortunately, people are apt to confuse the moral aspect of the case with their own pet theory regarding liense or no-liccnse. Such confusion is unnecessary, and any action in the matter can only be based on the broad foundation of liberty and justice. It has been decreed that the people in each electoral district shall have the right to vote on the liquor question. That right is arbitrraily withheld from a portion of our district. In addition other vexatious strictures are imposed, and we are branded sa a community of law breakers, because we cannot prove to one person, who may be a strongly prejudiced person, that we are not. Surely Mr Hogg could be induced to get to the bottom of the subject, and have matters put upon a more equitable and constitutional basis. His popularity would be quite assured if he could do this.

It is a far cry from the King Country to a lonely islet in the South Pacific, but I notice the papers have drawn attention to the fact that a man has ehcted to pass the winter on Macquarrie Island in the company of his dog. Obviously that man had not heard of the King Country, or seen Mr Hogg's description of it. Or if he had it is safe to assume he had come within the scope of the Act. Still, even such an experience would hardly be calculated to inspire him with the weird idea of marooning himself on a wind swept, mist-enshrouded islet. Thousands of people will doubtless speculate upon the mariner's obsession, and the first thought of thousands will doubtless be "Is be married?" Newspapers have an annoying habit of being vague in important matters.