FBIDAY, JULY 18, 1890. Sheep Without a Shephtrd.

Manawatu Herald, Volume III, Issue III, 18 July 1890, Page 2

FBIDAY, JULY 18, 1890. Sheep Without a Shephtrd.

The heading; of this art r cle aptly describes the good natured voter of New Zealand. We are verily a flock of sheep grazing; our quiet i lives away, until some rude wolves ' pounce on us at election times, and r with their noise, and the barking of . th« paelc that folow them, rush us , pell mell into a shed to shear us of ; eur votes. It will have been noticed in the operat on of shearing of the real muttons, they sometimes assay t to remonstrate with their shearers, after getting ml ugly cut or two, by uttering a gentle Baa-baa, do we . as voters use much stronger means with our representatives ? It goes without gainsaying that every intelligent man mutt have noticed the d«ei4«4 Mtrograit

movement that has taken place in this Colony, during- the past two year*. Taxation is heavy, and can not be reduced ; the income is not in proportion to the needed expenditure ; money i- ard to get ; trade is paralysed; ami why? The seasons have been :..od;our exports j have increased ana been so'd at good prices ; last year an exceptional export of flax poured money into the Colony, And saved an amount in charitable relief ; our land is excellent ; our climate hard to beat ; in spite of al\ a Government tinkering »t protection has brought into us a curse instead of a blessing. These things being beyond dispute what do our rulers prop ae to remedy matters ? Nothing, absolutely nothing, have patience, some thing may turn up ! Such conduct is enough to cause a revolution, and the spectacle that is exhibited at present in Wellington, were it on nbow when th« weather was warmer, wouM raise more energetic criticism than it now giv? n it. Lucky Parlia ment, but unfortunate people. Are we 'going to repeat the past ? or is it possible to revive some of the old public feeling which was the life b'ood of the early settlement of the Colony. Cannot we have organised in each small area a political club, or bodv of observation, so that th« needi of the land we live in may be discussed and broad lines of policy agreed to, so that we may be drilled to know our wantß and how to get them. No athlete enters into a congest without a previous training, Bo why should a voter allow himself to be button ho'ed to support this man or that., until he has c suited with his fellow settlers as > what is th* best for ua all, and who h« is, that is likoly to secure it for us. We strongly urge, and at once, the creation in different portion* of this electorate clubs, or some organisation, ea 1 thorn what you will, under which the voters can be called tosether and consulted, the roll added to, and questions prepared for the candidates. If a few only start, the idea will soon expand, and a wholesome interest will be awak" ened. As all matters at the seat of Go* vernment, including the Government, a e in a state of chaos, we earnesily advise no man to promise his sup* port or his vote to any one, or to do, even in friendship, anj f act that may hinder him from doing that which is best on the day of the poll.