DISTRIBUTION OF WEALTH.

Manawatu Standard, Volume 4, Issue 155, 9 June 1883, Page 2

DISTRIBUTION OF WEALTH.

In his speech to his constituents at Mount Ida, Mr Db Lautour referred thus to th« Costlpy bequest :— •".it stems to me that one question wbi h is at present deeply i:ngagin£ the public mind is tlie unequal distribution of wealth. M>-n regard with amazement such a picture as was presented to us io Auckland the other day. We see there an old man (Ooatley) nearly a cpntury old, singularly penurious, on his death-bed, at the last ..moment, bequeathing his vast hordes of wealth to public charities. We see him followed to his grave with pomp and show ; we hear arguments propagated that his bust should be put up m various prominent places m the town. And why ? Because he accamulated ';'-, hordes pi wealth, giving nothing, helping no one, and at the last moment he leaves his wealth to charities to make his peafce will: heaven. But how was this money gairie 1 ? Honestly ? Yes, Honestly f i I admit, but at the expense and by the assistance of others — by men who bore the work and heat of the day; who worked as only men. of the early days had to work ; and who, wjijen. a .crisis came, lost their all, siekeued, and died m many cases from poverty and privation. Costley m the early days obtained possession of land, and financial pressure— a pressure which sent many a brave, good man to .a ..sickening d a th»bed— enhanced its value, and enriched its v)OsssPßor.i" ';'*}■' l?. \