The Temuka Leader THURSDAY, APRIL 5, 1888. STRANGE INCONSISTENCIES.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1720, 5 April 1888, Page 2

The Temuka Leader THURSDAY, APRIL 5, 1888. STRANGE INCONSISTENCIES.

Thi philosophers who assume that they know exactly what is the matter with New Zealand never tire of impressing on people that this is essentially an agricultural and pastoral country, that these are our two natural industries, and that all energies should be turned in the direction of their development. To attempt to develope any other industries, unless their products are at once cheaper and better than imported goods, would he ruinous. It would, they tell us, result in drawing the population away from the development of the agricultural and pastoral industries, and consequently cause loss instead of gam. This is the way in which these philosophers reason, and yet it is exactly the same class who during last election, and before it, sent a wail over this unhappy land to the effect that the proposed Land Acquisition Bill of the late Government meant socialism, communism, confiscation, and everything else that was vicious and villainous. They also trotted out the old stalking horse that has done duty for them to frighten fools for years —they said that it would frighten capital out of the country, that the price of money would go up, and that there would be great distress in consequence. And further, they pictured Mr Ballance as something dreadful in consequence of having i settled so many people on the land during his term of office. Now these facts are worth reflecting on, as they sho w the Pecksuiffian hypocrisy of these people. Let it first be noted that they say our great hope is in developing the resources of the land, and in the next place they proclaim that the proposal to extend the agricultural industry is communism. The Land Acquisition Bill proposed that the Government should buy up large estates, cut them up into small farms, and lease them to farmers at a rental equal to 5 per cent, on the purchase money. This of course would lead to greater extension of agricultural industry, but the blatant humbugs who are always making so much noise about the importance of turning our energies in this direction rose up with wonderful unanimity against it. Seeing this, how can people any longer hesitate as to the meaning of the cries they raise at election times ? They come to this: “ All good comes from the land. We have the land. Legislate exactly in the way that will suit us.” That is the meaning of all their cries of communism, socialism, confiscation, and frightened capital. They tell us that the natural industries of the colony are the agricultural and pastoral ones, but in holding a monopoly of immense areas of the earth’s surface they are the very people who will not allow us to develope these industries. They stand in the way of carrying out the very policy which they hold is advantageous to the country, while at the same time they condemn any effort directed towards the development of other resources. It is therefore hard to please them. In fact, there is only one way of pleasing them, and that is to leave the country to themselves and the rabbits. Owing to the present low prices, we are given to understand that a good many farmers will not be able to meet their engagements this year. The consequence of course is obvious.

They will be sold out and thrown o n the world to begin life again. Now supposing the late Government had been returned to power, and the Land Acquisition Bill had become law, would not there be a fresh field opened up for these people ? Could they not easily obtain a lease of a piece of land from the Government and start again ? Of course they could, and they would doubtless do well. But they did not think of this when they were voting against the late Government, and now they have to put up with the consequence. There is no class in the community more responsible for the present condition of things than the farmers. Had they, as they ought, have made common cause with the working men, and voted for Liberals, we should not be in such a sorry plight as we are at present. But this they never do, (they vote for men of weight, who work into the hands of the money-rings and large landowners, and this is the reason Conservatism is so powerful in this colony. The farmers are the Conservative power in this colony, and their sins are falling on their own shoulders now with a tremendous weight.