The Tumeka Leader. SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 1879.

Temuka Leader, Issue 175, 13 September 1879, Page 2

The Tumeka Leader. SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 1879.

The Geraldine election is now over, and Mr Wakefield is again an M.T1.8. He ought now to have his eyes opened sufficiently to see. he is not popular, and that the Temuka portion of the district at least do not sympathise with his Conservative vieAVS. Had it not been for the outsiders, dragged nearly a hundred miles from their homes to vote for him, Mr Fekhvick would, as avo predicted, have had a very large majority at Temuka, and been np with Mr Wakefield, taking in even Waitohi and Kakahu, which it is well known is closely shepherded by Mr Postlethwaite, This proof of Sir Wakefield’s want of popularity will not, avc fear, bo taken advantage of by him in a way that will lead him to study more the wants and comply with the expressed Avishes of the electors in this constituency. His parting fling at the Ternuka clique, which he called the Temuka electors, is another proof of Mr Wakefield’s invariable practice of showing bitterness to those who oppose him. This last proof of his dislike to Temuka was exhibited in very bad taste, and is much to he regretted. It Avill make it more difficult next time for the electors to vote for a gentleman whose principles are not in unison Avith their own than it was even this lime. If Mr Wakefield—as as he no doubt does—marks tho points of rolicy that acted in his favor, he cannot but observe tho fact that he has his opposition to he land tax to thank more for his.return more than anything else. Although outsiders sAveiled tho number by some forty to fifty votes, yet it was plainly to be seen that almost every farmer in the district voted against the land tax. Tho opposition to this tax is a mistake. It might have been right and proper for farmers to insist- upon a property tax being imposed as Avell, but it is vain for them to think it will be done away with, whatever Government may be in office. Even Mr George M'Lcan, who was spotted out for one of the Opposition Ministry, refused to promise to oppose this tax. Mr Moorhoase also favors it. Farmers and small land- J ,owners are uisoatisfied at having to pay a Jd

in the £ value of unimproved land. This on land uoav Avoiih £lO an aci’e would bo sd. If unimproved land, bought say eight or ten years’ago at £2 an .acre, is now worth £lO an .acre, it must have been by a large expenditure cf public money, and we do not think it ,an extravagant demand to ask 5d per acre for this increase. In commercial business anyone would cheerfully give twice or thrice that if they could make such, profits upon their business. If, however; this class of electors should succeed in obtaining a repeal of the Land Tax Bill, they may rest assured that a more obnoxious measure will be adopted. Our thoughts have often lately been turned to the free education question, and to our mind this will very soon be an election cry. It may easily be seen that if the land tax is resisted an educational tax must immediately take 'its place. The educational question will, if the land tax is done away with, soon assume another form. The first step likely to take place will bo the i withdrawal of all Government support from schools in cities with over five thousand inhabitants, leaving it for the Government to support the outlying districts only. This wo think will soon solve the question of class education, and we think no religionists would make much ado about mixed schools in inland districts. In towns workmen have generally high wages, and would not feel much a pound a head for the education of their children. In country districts a laboring man with a large family is not so able to pay this tax, nor are the different denominations able each for themselves to uphold a school in efficient order. Our land sales can never again reach the annual sums they have done, and unless liberal land laws bring large blocks into the market to be sold on deferred payment, subsidies must cease. An income tax may be resorted to, but it is evident that the colony has just entered a new phase in its history, and that the people must be taxed heavily unless the population increase very rapidly. It is therefore unwise to obstruct the way for the Grey Government passing liberal land laws. That Government, notwithstanding tire extraordinary efforts and supterfuges of the Opposition, will now be able to meet Parliament strong enough to pass their measures, after Avhich. Sir George Grey will, in all probability, retire from office. The speech which" he (Sir George Grey) delivered in Christchurch on Tuesday last will be read with admiration hundreds of years after-he has loft this world. It is not to be wondered at that he is at the top of the poll as a Christchurch representative. It is to be hoped now that it is fairly proved that Liberalism .is the form of Government accepted by the people, that there will be no more obstructions thrown in the way by the Opposition. Yet it is to ho feared that our hopes will not be realised. The Opposition have over and over again accused Government of legislating for one class. If there be any proof wanting that the Opposition’s tactics are class legislation, .it could be found in the way the’ Geraldine election was conducted. Mr Wakefield, it is well known; is ft thorough Conservative. Large landowners and largo occupiers of land; he does 11 in hi s power to serve, and cvqr iias done so At the election we find that almost every squatter and large landowner from the Waitald to the Hurunui qatnc and voted for Mr Wakefield, knowing full well that lie is their representative as a class. Yet this class says Sir Georg® Grey’s legislation is a class legislation. The length-of Sir George Grey’s speech at Christchurch on Tuesday is too much for our (at present) small journal, or we would gladly publish it. It will he found at full length in the Lyttelton Times, and’every elector should carefully road it. It will well repay him. Sir George is head and shoulders taller than any other man in the House of Eepresenta. tives, and he has the ability and the courage that belongs to no other statesman in Hew Zealand. We have always believed in Sir G. Grey’s honesty of purpose, and that he earn’ estly desires the advancement of the colony. His speech shows how much electors should he watchful in guarding against land monopolies, the land for sho'ep, say the large capitalists, and land speculators. The land for the people, says Sir George. It is gratifying to find that Sir George is so well backed up by the people. He will open Parliament on the 24th of this’month with a majority of declared supporters, leaving out a number Liberals, who, although they do not believe in the Premier, believe in his measures, and must therefore vote for them. The Franchise Pill once law, a great change ay ill take place in the elections. At present a large number of good colonists are without a vote, and Liberalcandidates cannot afford to.,pay the expenses of electors coming a hundred miles. This squatters and rich landoAvners can do for themselves, and..-this; did much to tu .a the late election at Geraldine; Of the largo gathering at the Volunteer, Hall on Monday night not a fourth part perhaps had a vote. With the new Franchise Bill almost every one would have a vote. It will then be im possible for the rich to elect their nominee, as at present they have managed to'do.” Two objections we have to Mr Wakefield as oar member. First, he is regardless of the inter’ ests of the workingman. Second, he cares more for the interests of Timaru than the country districts. This was clearly proved by letters in his own paper, pointing out that Mr Wake’ field had done more for; Timaru than their own member • had done. This was very encouraging news for us on the eve of an election. It was for these two reasons that we so much opposed his election, and not upon personal grounds, Avhicli Avas no element what, ever in the contest. We shall still persevere in this course until a Liberal member is elected, and one whose interests are not bound up with Timard. Had Mr Wakefield been a Liberal as he professed to he, and had ho resided amongst us, our support would have been likely on his side, hut until this,his position, the Ternuka electors will persevere and grow stronger and stronger, until their object is accomplished, .. (But for ML Fqldwick the Geraldine doctorate would have been put down as a Conservative constituency—no

only Geraldine, but also Tomuka. Through Mr Feld wick’s p 1 lick, wo have been saved the disgrace and humiliation of being pointed at as a squatter’s ‘stronghold, a Tory preserve. The coming-session Avill likely;only he a short one, when a new election, based upon the new Franchise and Electoral Bill, Aviil return a ncAv Parliament. It is therefore our duty to at once form a Liberal Association in Tomuka. Had this been done a few weeks ago, Mr Wakefield would not have been able to ctoav over his opponents, or ins alt. the Temuka electors in his organ by his coarse remarks as he now does. For want of a proper organisation, Mr Wakefield was returned by his wealthy supporters. It is a question of right against might. In the end right AA’ill prevail-

0 -MISSION. —Wo have to express our regret, to our readers that We omitted the names of the Misses Fish from our report in Wednesday’s issue of the Temuha children’s entertainment. The Misses Fish played a duett with their usual skill and execution, and the omission of their names in our last issue was truly accidental, and we regret that it should have occurred. Gladstone Election. —We are glad to hear that'Dr Deans is likely to be elected for Gladstone. This is a step in the right direction, but wo would caution Liberal voters and those who arc working for the Dr not to flag. The Opposition have some throe score of willing tools, which they keep driving about to record their votes wherever they have a bit of land to give them a vote —first at Timaru, then at Temuka, next at Ashley, and most likely they will turn up at Waimate on Monday next to vote for that duffer, Mr Studholme, simply because ho is a rich man, and a rank Tory. Paiie Costmissiohees. —A meeting of the Park Commissioners was held on Thursday last. Present—Messrs Wood, Myres, Wilson and Paterson. Mr Wood was voted to the chair. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. The Secretary read; the report of the visiting rangers, and also of the caretaker. It was resolved to purchase arid plant a number of trees, also to purchase seeds to sow in beds,. The sub-committee who were to obtain gates for the crossing asked for another month, as business engagements had prevented them from attending, to this duty. The Secretary was instructed to write to the Government in reference to an error in the Gazette connected with the names of the Commission. A' few accounts for payment, were passed, after which the meeting adjourned. fecHOOU Committee. —We are requested to remind members of tire Temuka School Committee that the adjourned meeting will be held on Tuesday next at 7’30 p.m. Temuka Cjexcicet Ccrru.—We would remind all members of this Club of the meeting in the 11 oval Hotel this evening--1.0,0.F. —We would draw the attention of Oddfellows to an advertisement in our col. umns, notifying that a special meeting will be held on Wednesday next, September 17thThe business being, of a very important nature, all the members would do well to attend. On ■ Editors.—Some of our best managing editors ’nave started life cat the “ case,” while others equally as good never held a “ stick” in their hand. But, with few exceptions, whether the editor has dropped into his position from the fl case” in the composing-room, or tumbled into the busmoss, as it were, by ' accident or choice, he must be a man of quick perception, ready to ’lift the pen and grabble with 1 is subject at a moment’s notice. Nearly all the editors are first class reporters : that is, they can give the substance of a speaker in language terse and brief, and give in a single paragraph what the speaker has failed to do in an hour’s declamation. Tims it is that all editors are excellent correspondents. They study to oo as concise as possible, write to be understood, and no more words are used in the sentence than is necessary. To be an editor now one must be as versatile as a dancing-master, and able to write not as conscience dictates, but as he is instructed. The life of an editor is, therefore, all tilings considered, one that is seldom taken up by choice ; the man drops into the editorial chair by accident more than design, and once in it he loses all moral courage to get out of it to engage in a mercantile pursuit in which there is not only a possibility but a probability of obtaining an independent competence before the setting in of old age. That is nevar obtained sitting in tho editorial chair, when employed lo do the literary drudgery of a paper. The every-day editor makes a living and little more. He can often do much for Iris friends, but for himself he can do nothing.