ORIGINAL CORRESPONDENCE.

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 633, 27 August 1851, Page 3

ORIGINAL CORRESPONDENCE.

To the Editor of the New Zealand Spectator. Wellington, August 26, 1851. . Sir,— -The insane craving of the Faction to instill distrust of Sir George Grey in the minds of the settlers, and then desire to create popular opposition to his measures, has rarely been more plainly shewn than in the silly editorial article of Saturday’s Independent. Furious, but not forcible, that witless editor stultifies himself with the idea of demolishing the colonial government by opposing a law, intended not for the personal profit of any members of the Government, but for the convenience of the whole community. Can that editor believe that either Sir George or Mr. Eyre, who are each of them known as fearless explorers of the wilds of Australia, will succumb to the Faction awe-struck at visions of soiled boots. It seems that the Faction have no dislike to good roads, but they argue tnat tne road bill having been enacted by term a despotic government, it should be resisted by every settler without discussing its faults or merits. It is evident consistency is not the creed of our self-styled parliament, or on the same principle they should cease to pay the Customs duties, and in short, refuse obedience to all other colonial laws. The chief grounds on which many settlers dislike the road bill are, firstly, that a uniform land-tax would not only be more easily assessed, but would draw far more cash from the absentee proprietors, who refrain from selling their land, expecting at somo future day to sell with enormous profits when their land is made valuable by the improvements of the neighbouring resident settiers. In a township where comparatively so little land is built on, a mixed land and house tax would fall unfairly on those settlers who have improved their properties, and would act as a fine for economy ana industry.

I had rather hoped than expected, that the Faction would for once act in a rational, busi-ness-like manner, and discuss a matter purely relating to our social comfort without political bickerings, but they are clearly resolved to lose owever -°°li s h, for reviling Sir I am, Sir, Yours respectfully, A Freeholder.