RANDOM REMARKS.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VII, Issue 564, 3 May 1913, Page 5

RANDOM REMARKS.

By Onlooker

So many nice things have been said about the King Country of late that the oldest inhabitants are meeting each other with the becoming blush of modesty. The Prime Minister ad mitted he was surprised and de-

lighted with the districts he had passed through, and it is understood the site of the future capital city of the Dominion is practically fixed. It has all along been recognised that geographically the Ohura Valley had great claims, while other natural advantages are continually being discovered. The fact that King Brian Boru has established his court in the garden valley is a significant indication of the trend of events, and a choice band of knights is gradually being collected to swell the retinue of the distinguished potentate. However, there is a suggestion that Aria township would be a more suitable centra for the capital than any portion of the Ohura, and Mr Massrev is to be asked for a definite pronouncement on the question. It is totally unnecessary to catalogue the beauties and natural advantages of Aria as compared with the Ohura. Probably a conference of representatives from the rival centres would be advisable. I

If such a meeting did take place I would suggest the Ohura as a suitable place. The press could then take up a position of vantage on an adjacent hill and report the proceedings in safety.

Te Kuiti being out of the running for the capital site the inhabitants are settling down resigned ly to furthering the interests of the town. The borough council election was decided upon the same white day which saw the electric light turned on for the first time. Just here one would be expected to make congratulatory reference to the fact that gas had not been selected as the illuminant of the town at the same time as the eloquence of the new councillors wai let loose, but 1 refrain. That chestnut is just a trifle too old. The speeches of the candidates were infinitely more refreshing than any feeble joke, and the ability displayed "augurs well Eor the future of the individuals as public men. Carping criticism of past administration [jwas studiously avoided, the battle cry of the younger aspirants being "the greatest good for the greatest number." The older members admitted the possibility of error on the part of mankind in general, and left the audience to draw the flattering inference that they had managed the affairs of the borough with an extremely low percentage of mistakes.

This is as it should be. It is a deplorable manifestation of weakness to admit anything on the eve of an election. That is the time the wily candidate makes his promises, and upon his agility in dodging admissions of any sort his late at the poll very often depends. The absence of jocular refer ence or attempt at humour was very noticeable, but one candidate, who may be pardoned on account of inexperience, took a tremendous risk. He opened his speech with the admission that he was entirely ignorant of council business, and proceeded to demon strate his lack of knowledge by joking about engineering. He breezily confided to the audience that his knowledge of egineering was nil, but judging .from what he had seen in the past, if he was elected, he;, would probably become an engineering authority in a very short time. Flirting with public opinion, and flying in the face of Providence are things which are usually indulged in only by those whom the gods wish to destroy. That candidate was very near the danger line, and with a less discriminating body of electors might have come to grief. Unfortunately, he was elected and there is evidently a danger of levity being imported to the council meetings.

"The strictest economy consistent with absolute efficiency,," is a term which should be fairly familiar to Te Kuiti people now. Each candidate for municipal honours announced his intention of boldly defying som-body or other, and carrying out the policy embodied in the above remark in the face of all opposition. The term quoted is a beautiful platitude. It has a satisfying sound, and is used for the purpose of impressing an audience with the fact that the candidate will save an immense amount of money for the ratepayers, and will provide the town with every modern convenience very much below cost. One of the popular selections avoided the remark, and contented himself With stating he would work for the greatest good for the greatest number. It will be interesting' to observe whether or not the greatest number lives in his particular locality. I must admit this is a more unkind remark than any that were heard during the election contest, but one must say something.

The Prime Minister has come; haß seen, and has conquered. The length, breadth, and depth of his conquest de-pend-i largely upon his ability to provide for ths backblocks the facilities and requirements which are necessary. It is beyond question that Mr Maesey realises the necessities of the country and is deeply desirous of providing them at the earliest possible moment. His candid admission that the ability to carry out his desires depended entirely upon the sue cess of the country's financial arrangements is refreshing. It has won him friends among the people who know how true the statement is, but who are unaccustomed to such Ministerial candour. A friend of mine—one of the street-corner politicians who knows exactly how the country's affairs should be managed—informed rre re:ontly that the proppr thing fnr Mr Mas3ey to do was to get his fingers on as many millions as could be garnered from all corners of tho earth, and make the back country bootn. He cited cases of .!.cr great men in oih:r

countries,and drew an alluring picture of the effect such a policy would have on Te Kuiti. As a patriotic Te Kuishun I agread with him. As a patriotic New Zealander I begin to have doubts.

My friend is the type of person who never has any doubts about his own suggestions, at least if he does he is sufficeß&ly astute to conceal them. His proposition included a big special loan of an unspecified numbr of millions to be expended in roading, opening lands for settlement, and advances to settlers. He cutß out emigration expenses; he says people wouldn't require any assistance to emigrate to a country where his policy was in operation. They would come in myriads, if they had to borrow their fare. He talked airily of the fare as if it was a tram fare. Every country ruad I in the Dominion should be metalled and no land should be opened till roads were properly made; railways, where necessary .should be made and no dispute as to who should bear the responsibility of the expenditure should be allowed till all the work was completed. Public expenditure on the cities would be unnecessary, as the big centres would grow so quickly that the increased revenue would pay everything. Incidentally, the labour trouble would be solved. When all the work was completed a tribunal could be set up to decide ths interesting point as to who should foot the bill. I milldy suggested it would require courage to carry out such a policy, to say nothing of luck. "Courage be blowed," he said; "if Masaey's not game to do it, let him give me a chance, and I'll show him."