THE COMING ELECTIONS.

Kawhia Settler and Raglan Advertiser, Volume IV, Issue 233, 3 November 1905, Page 2

THE COMING ELECTIONS.

(to THE EDJToE.) Bib, —The triennial political tocsin nofo ia once mors sounding, and the “ free and independents” are invited to range themselves under one brother banner in readiness for the fray. The time is apparently < ppoituno therefore for tboso who have privilege and re sponsibility of a voice in the govern mentof this, grand country to serious ly face the position before the excite ment becomes too intense aud decide in which camp they will range them selves. There are far m ;re seriou 3

I matters on the political horizon thin land (enures, shop hours, and woik men’s dwelling?, and now is the time to consider them. The most cursory obsever of the trend of our affairs can hardly ba sutified therewith, for he must be convinced that we are living under a system of Tammanyism and espionage such as should not be tolerated for a single day by a professedly free people. Waikato alone has been the scene of enough jobbery to damn a dozen Ministers, and it is high time public opinion made itself felt in a demand for healthier end purer political atmosphere. Consider the number of political satellites who have beeu pitchforked into highly - remunerative Government billets. Is it conducive to the welfare of the Commonwealth that its magistrate?, cironers. inspector?, librarian?, etc , etc., should receive their appointments solely be cause they have proved themselves “ good party men ” or have gone back, at the behest of lhe“ Boss,” upon their most emphatic public pledges ? Their unfitness for their several offices is pretty generally recognised, and. even a hading Cabinet Minister was overheard to ad Irens one of his appointees io this strain . “ uook here, Blunk ; you are no darned good wherever I put you!” Bat Blank nevertheless con tinues to perfunctorily essay to perform the duties of his lucrative position, and the public have the privilege of paying him. There is much truth in the statement that the colony’s Civil Service ia a refuge for those leather lunged Liberal barrackers who have proved failures in their several professions and avocarions. hhoubl such u state of affairs bo tolerated Moat emphatically 4 No ! ” Though this aspect is bad, the system of espionage is infinitely worse. Rumours have long been jourrent to the effect that an underground railway with branches to eifliy centre of population and its tormina- in WsHmgton, exists in this colony, along which reports as to the speech and actions of the most prominent residents are forwarded j these are said to be duly filed and kept by the “ Boss ” for reference. The report used to seem far-fetched and monstrous, not worthy of credence, but a recent incident which occurred in the King Country lends considerable colour to it, and goes far to prove its truth. The residents in one of the townships exercised their rights as Britishers to publicly assemble and discuss a certain grievance, fancied or otherwise. They carried a resolution and forwarded it on to Wellington to thfl Minister in charge of one of the de partmanta. They were astounded a few days later to learn that a policeman was assiduously inquiring as to who convened the meeting, who spoke, and other particulars, the information having to be sent on to Wellington. And thia is tolerated in a free Country by men whose forefathers fought and died to win for them the rights of public assemblage and tree speech* Possibly I may be charged with indulging in heroics; it certainly appears that a professedly democratic Government is endeavouring to surreptitiously lay violent hands upon our liberties, for what other construction can be placed upon such actions * If for no other reason than to protest against such methods, I trust the electors of in common with those of the whole will next month exercise their right at the ballot box in such a way as to convince our present rulers that New Zealanders will not brook the slightest interference with their blood-bought liberties as Britons.—Yours, etc.,. PATRIOT. (to thk editor.) Sib, With your kind permission I wish to reply to one or two attacks I have heard made, and the reckless statements I have heard applied to the party of which I am a supporter, I think, Mr Editor, that those of your numerous readers who recognise the existence cf the .word honor, will agree with mo when I say that no man or no community of men ever advanced their own interests by trying to degrade and hold up to ridicule those who may be opposed to them either in public or private life. I also think that every man (and every woman for that matter) aro entitled to their own opinions—of course the majority of the latter have tbei(rigbly or wrongly. Dine? Jhe days oT Adam there has been dissension/ disunion and differences of opinion, and of courses this state of affiitH will prevail until the world ceises to exist. I (j« my pirt honestly I and fer.ently believe I am right, and of course I entertain the self same i opinion of those wh) may happen to ; t > be’dirs* 1 y ■ Hcd to mo. This I tbeu bring my conviatiba I ohim I ‘■hrorigb your columns to give an emphatic denial to ilu aoausa'ions 'that have been nulieiou.-ly burled with intent to destroy tbp prospect* of the party to which I have the honour to belong. Some there may be who will say “ Oh, he is moved by mercen ery motives,’.’ but to thorn I will say

“ No,” a thousand times “ N 0.,” for b it remembered I am dupe to no party and no slave to fear. I think I can not explain batter than by quoting him who has been truthfully termed the poor man’s poet, Robert Barns— Shall 1, nursed in th* plants Uwlj shed, To hardy independence bravely brsd By e irly poverty to hardship steeled, Of trained to eruie in etem miafortunee field. shall 1 be guilty of their hireling crtmee Their service mercery unrae of rhymes. Well now, sir, coming as I do from that quarter of the world where the most cruel form of oppression and tyranny is being enacted every day—and I might also add the most reckless form of cruelty that disgraces any par? of God’s fair earth—l mean the land lord system, how then can I be in favour of a party whose sympathies lean in that direction ? Why, it'* only another name for slavery. And be it remembered ’tis the slaves that make the tyrant.-, not the tyrants make the slaves. I am, as perhaps you are already aware, ona of tbvt number 1 who are condemned to earn their • bread by the sweat of their brow, con ssq’iently I not unnaturally expect a sufficient remuneration for my labour, therefore I feel justified io supporting the party who work to attain that end. I have on several occasions haa r d those who are pleased to call them s Ives the real true Liberals, advoctL a lower rate of wages, and worse still a lower standard of education tot the working cl isse?. Well now, if this is not class distinction I for my part fail to see what is. Why in the name of all that’s good aud just should the working man’s child be deprived ’of that which his higher born bro her w irm expfCts as his natural heritage I know ynu wifi readily admit that a people who are sufficiently educated to distin rui-'-h for themselves ara far less liable to be mi=guidc-d than those wh > have not been allowed the opportunity to. develops that which they received a a free g ft from heaven -th.ir reason, their liberty, th ir c mscienee, aye, and even their souls. Therefore I cal’, upon those who have ar.y claim to patriotism to vindicate their rights and give full effect to that power which a generous Government has placed in their bandr, to prevent this crown of thorns being pressed down upon the brow of labour, and do away with this iniquity, which, in reality, is only a fraud, delusion and a snare, smoothed over with the oil uf flattery, for the simple pnrpo3« of attaining their own selfish ends. I have no hesitation, Mr Editor, in saying that each and everyone of us have an interest to serve, but in serving that interest wo ought to at least admit the existencj of the word gratitude. Bu ala?| how many ui us ignore it altogether. If we were only to study the beasts of the field we would find it there; there is gratitude even in the litrle drops of rain that fall ; there is gratitude even in the sinner's life prolonged ; but blinded by passion and prejudice man ■ has none for man. I think I cannot better conclude this letter than by again quoting the poet who riys— I have a hand to give them in friendship, And Another to make them quake, And they are welcome to whichsoever It pleases them most to take. ! Thanking yon in anticipation.—Yours, eto., JAMES KEARNS.