THE WEEK.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume VI, Issue 12, 14 January 1871, Page 2

THE W EEK .

I am, I think, quite ri»MV in saying that the principal evtnt of the week lias been the great, meeting at which has furnished pabulum for uewspaper articles innumerable, :i3 well as much food for thought. It is, however, to lie regretted that it terminated so abruptly, and before those present had arrived at any conclusion on the various subjects brought under their notice. For my own part, I am inclined to think llfitit was owing to ji mistake, and not to any want of appreciation on the part of the electors of Suburban North, of the alile manner in which colonial politics, past, present, and future, were, handled by the great thinker and spokesman of the district I say owing to a mistake, because from what I heard outside the building whero the meeting was held, I was led to believe that the sudden disnppearancc of those who had assembled to dictate to the Parliament of New Zealand the proper course to pursue, arose out of the fact that they had been detained somewhat longer tl.an~t.hey had anticipated, and that the hour had arrived when Wakapuuka required its Customary smoke. Under these circumstances, was it to bo expected that even the- seductive tones of Mr. vYastuey's voice could succeed iv detaining those who were accustomed without fail to offer up their evening sacrifice at the shrine of Nicoj tine at stated hours? Had the manners and customs of the natives been thoroughly understood by him at whose bidding they had met together, lie would have allowed them sufficient time for burning their incense, and then have invited them to re-assemble to discuss the measures by which he proposed to save the colony from irretrievable ruin. I am exceedingly sorry that he was so wanting iv perception, as it would have been both interesting and instructive to ascertain Wakapuaka's views on the question of taxation. Mr. Wastney is evidently of opinion that our burdens should he reduced, but at the same time he is (Usirous of increasing nur expenditure. It is true he -lid not explain with that clearness and perspicuity for which he is so toted, the means by which this desirable end was to be attained, but we all know that it is quite unnecessary for great minds to trouble themselves about details. All they havo to do is to deal with generalities and to leave minor matters to their inferiors in understanding. A paragraph, that I recently met with in an Adelaide pnper appears to me so applicable to the case in point, aud so descriptive of the state of mind Mr. Wastney must have been in when he brought, forward his startling proposition that we should reduce our taxation simultaneously with increasing our debt, that I may be pardoned if I quote it in full. The writer, who, I imagine, must be a little given to satire, says: — "1^ don't waut to enter upon the vexed question^ of a the Road Bill, which is evidently doomed/ for this session. We farmers are very! poor, and are naturally, therefore, impatient* of more taxation. But still I must confess that I don't see my way to getting our roads made without money. The system propounded at the meeting of District Council Chairmen, that without any further taxation the Government should make and maintain tho roads for years to come, is very beautiful in theory,, but I fear there are iusuroiouutnble eugineeriug difficulties in the way of putting it into practice. Nevertheless, it is so com-/ pletely the fashion at all tho Road Bill meetings to support this policy that I should be painfully conspicuous if I went in for any other. I like good roads, and I don't, like taxation, and so I •shan't vote for any member who can't promise me one without the other. If he promises aud does not perform, that t wou'fc bs my fault, and I shall only look out for some one else to promise better the next time. This is true statesmanship — the veal grit of political economy ; and no doubt by adhering steadfastly to ihe&e principles, the country will get on as well as it deserves." Mr. Wastney, and the author of the above, who styles himself GeofiVy Crabthorne, are so evidently kindred spirits, that it is to be regretted that they are not residents in the same colouy aud members of the same legislature. I feel that I have bat done my duty in presenting Mr. .Crabthorne to Mr. Waetney's notice, and shall now leave

the lat tor gentleman to cultivate Ih acquaintance of a man so ran eh after hi own heart. I always felt pure (it is so e:isy to ?ay this aft<-r .in event) that some mishap would result from the visit of that Wellington man who came anjougst us a few' weeks ago, and exercised hia imaginative powers so largely on his return homo, in 2T i v i n sr a description of Nelson. Such productions fis his cannot, he written and published with impunity, but, unfortunately, i!h> punis'-ment lms in this ense fallen on those who nre least deserving of it. "We onco had in our midst ouo of (he most beautiful trees that ever man saw, and of which we used to speak in terras of the Greatest affection and pride as the ash Iree, but there came amongst us a stranger taking notes of what he saw, or fancied he saw, and on his departure he actually described the pride of our eyes as an oak ! What is the consequence? Our noble ash, which, I am fait/ to confess, had not always received at o/r hands that consideration it deserved, has actually taken this crowning indignity so much to heart that it has taken the earliest opportunity of committing suicide. Un fenced and uneared for, it had for a long time put up with much cruel usage from passers by, and frequently had it been made to shed its life's blood by the gashes inflicted upon it by the inevitable pocket-knives of tfioughlless schoolboys. This it had borne with exemplary patience, but then came the cruellest blow of all. To be described as an " oak tree " vvas too much for its fortitude, and this week I am called upon to chrouicle its fatal results. It is greatly to be hoped that the "brick villas 1 ' will not lake the fanciful picture that vvas painted of them, equally to heart, and put an end to their existence in a similar manner. We are trying to got up a little excitement with reference to the ensuing elections, but hitherto have lamentably failed. Possibly, we may succeed after hearing what one of our town candidates has to say on Wednesday next. It is a pity that Sir David Monro has fixed upon the same evening for addressing the electors of Motueka, a?, either his meeting must pass unrep^ijjfed, or Solomon's proposed manner of dealing with the child whose ownership was in dispute will have to be carried into effect upon the reporters of the Nelson papers, ai>d they will have to be cut in two for the occasion. This might possibly be objected to by the gentlemen iv question, whose patriotism, strong as it/ uo doubt is, -would probably be found wan tins? if subjected to so severe a test. But serious!)'-, the proposed arrangements are much to he regretted, as the opinions of a political! of such long standing as the late Speaker of the House of Repre* sentatives cannot be made too public. The English mail is as yet. only two or three days overdue, so that it, cannot be reasonably expected just yet, but before this day week, we shall doubtless be in possession of the news. Who is bold enough to assert what that news will be ? F. — — /