VERY TRUE.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1665, 26 November 1887, Page 1

VERY TRUE.

Speaks? the recent meeting of tiie Wellington Radical Reform Association, Sir R. Stout said he was glad to see an Association of this kind formed, and would be pleased to see them multiplied ail over the country. Our Government was a democracy—the Government of the people by the people, but, there was a danger of the Government falling iDto tho hands of a fow. That was ever the danger of free Governments. Some of the greatest English statesmen held that the Government of that country was only possible by patronage. In America its equivalent was seen by the two great parties rewarding their supporters by what may be called the spoils of victory, the various political offices throughout the country being bestowed on the partisans of the Government party for the time being. There were great evils in these systems which this colony ought to avoid. He continued : The danger which menaces us, and which is actively influential in our midst, is that our elections are being won by the power of money spent freely by candidates who have means, and largely supplemented by the monetary institutions of the colony. The recent elections in many places cost candidates £IOOO, JP.I2OG, £ISOO, and £2OOO, and more in 3ome instances. No poor man can hope to be returned in these colonies unless the people co.nbino to assist, unless they can he led to the exercise of that virtue and patriotism which will show itself in generous sacrifices such as are practised in England in sapport of such men asMr Burt. Associations such as these found in every town should educate the people, lead to an intelligent conception of political questions, and unite men in a determined effort to face the difficulties of theposition. Unless something of this kind i 3 done wealth will win more and more. Our only hope is to organise, and by united action and liberal contributions seek to counteract the efforts of our opponents. ____™____