THE Temuka Leader. THURSDAY, AUGUST 25, 1892. THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2399, 25 August 1892, Page 2

THE Temuka Leader. THURSDAY, AUGUST 25, 1892. THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION.

Some twelve months ago a few old fogies in Auckland formed a society, and called it the National Association. The object in view was to resist the financial proposals of the Government. These old gentlemen dreamt glorious dreams. They laid the flattering unction to their souls that the whole colony would flock to their standard, and that in no time they would rule everything and everybody from Auckland to the Hlufi. A leading plank in their platform was that owners of property should get two votes —one for themselves, an S' one for their property. If their cows, horses, or sheep could be educated to vote, there would be no objection to this, but we do not think they can, and consequently we prefer the one-man-one-vote. But “ the best laid schemes of mice and men gang oft aglee.” The National Association sent round their circulars, but, so far as we know, there is not a single branch of it outside Auckland. Mr Bryce made a tremendous effort to start a branch in Kangitikei, and he succeeded in getting up a meeting, but nothing of any importance came of it. The circular came to Christchurch, but the egotism of that high-souled community could not bear the humiliation of playing second fiddle to any place on earth. They could not think of such a thing as to adopt the programme of a society whose headquarters were anywhere else, and so they started the New Zealand Farmers and Country Settlers League. Everything started in Christchurch is New Zealand; their Farmers’ Cooperative Association is New Zealand, and so on. Thus it was that practically this National Association, which claims to be the mouthpiece of the people, consists, we believe, of less than 100 wealthy respectable old Tories, whose influence is gone, and who have not even a single representative in the New Zealand Parliament. Of course no notice has so far been taken of them, but they have recently brought themselves into prominence in connection with the British Election. When the glad tidings reached this colony that the Grand Old Man had been placed once more at the head of the affairs of the Empire Mr BalJance and his Ministers felt so overjoyed that they cabled their congratulations to Mr Gladstone. This aroused the blue blood of the National Association ; they sent a protest to the Premier, and, not content with that, they held a meeting, and sent a letter to Mr Gladstone, telling him the council of the National Association disapproved of the action of the New Zealand Premier. This is really the frog and the ox story over Again; or perhaps the analogy would be closer if wc referred to it as the Tooley street tailor’s force. These old gentlemen no doubt satisfied themselves. They relieved their Tory souls of the bile which the defeat of Lord (Salisbury had generated, they flattered themselves with the hope that their protest would hurt the Liberal Ministry of New Zealand, and they have succeeded in giving themselves a cheap advertisement. The fact is, it was generally thought the National Association was dead, but now it has gjyen evidence of its existence, and that is all U ,l ias gained by its action. There is every nope that Mr Gladstone will survive the : shock which the disapproval of Auckland Tories, wiß give him and as for this colony their oppasitipn is a source of amusement. i

THE COUNCIL.

Mr Rolleston and his friends have wasted another day in the vain hope of being able to turn the Ministry out of office. Ifpr several days the Tory papers have been working up a ease against the present Government the dispute with the Governor, -r key have published interviews with Mi Kolleston, Sir George Grey, and others, in which it was made to appear that the Government were, so to speak, destroying the liberties of the people, and it was also hinted that the House of Representatives would condemn their action by an adverse vote. Pul what has happened;’ Almost c'vei_> supporter of the government has expressed approval of their action, while most of Mr Rolleston’s followers slunk away sooner than vote. Great things were expected from Sir George Grey, He was going to load, so the Press told us, and the Opposition would watch their opportunity to vote on any amendment he would propose. Sir George Grey, however, refused to be a cat’spaw for them; he made an independent speech, in which he hinted that the Governor was wrong, and did not vote either way. The whole thing fizzled out into thin air. Mr Rolleston and his friends had not the courage to bring forward any resolution them-

selves, hut Mr O'Conor, who iias a cra/.e on the subject to make the Upper House elective, moved to that effect. For this Messrs Rolleston, Rhodes, and others voted, glad of an opportunity to record their names on the Opposition division list, but there was only eight of them altogether, and, so, they “ did not signify.” With regard to an elective Upper House there are some people in favour of it, we know, but do they ever stop to think what it means? Do they expect that it would be elected on the one-man-one-vote system ? Certainly not. The Upper House would be elected by owners of property only, and the result would be a Legislative Council which would block all progressive legislation and render government impossible. Let no one be deceived by this cry. Unless the Upper House is elected on the same basis as the Lower House, it would be the worst thing that could possibly happen to New Zealand. But it is not necessary to discuss it : only the out-and-out Tories are in favour of it, so it has no chance of passing. Still the people ought to be chary of it, for the elective principle is popular, and they may be led away by it. Me sincerely trust that Mr Kolleston and his friends are now satisfied that it is no use for them to try to oust the Government, and that they will settle down to work before making themselves more odious to the people of this colony than they are already.

ENGLISH OPINION,

According to a London cablegram, the Financial News says that “Mr Ballance’s policy is a grand departure, and that New Zealand is on the high road to successful development.” So at last the English financial papers are beginning to understand Mr Ballance’s policy. For a long time they were kept in the dark on the subject. Interested people in this colony, like the foul bird that fouls its own nest, sent Home to English papers one-sided views of the policy of the present Government, and did their best to do all the harm they possibly could. To do Lord Onslow justice, he succeeded in counteracting the influence of these people. In Christchurch, Wellington, and elsewhere, he made speeches which evidently made them feel ashamed of themselves, and we have not heard so much about frightened capital since. In this respect Lord Onslow rendered a great service to the colony, and, though he certainly behaved badly with regard to the Legislative Council, his action at that very critical moment was well-timed, and did a lot of good. Fortunately, too. our dashing young Agent-General reached Home about that time, and he set about giving the British public a version of the whole business in a very commendable and energetic manner. Backing up all this comes now the Financial Statement, and that has shown the wisdom of the policy adopted by Mr Ballauce. The New Zealand Conservatives did their best to damage the colony and drive capital out of it, but the English press is beginning to see the true position of affairs. The Financial News is the paper which for years has been doing all it possibly can against New Zealand, and it is not a small matter that it has now turned round, and, from a thorough study of our affairs, declared in our favor. Let the Tories scream about frightened capital, they can do no harm now. We have, so to speak, put our house in order, and all they can do will not hurt us.

THE FARMERS’ LEAGUE

Down in Gore, Otago, last Saturday, according to the local papers, a meeting of the Farmers’ Club was held, and, amongst other things, a circular letter containing the platform of the Christchurch Farmers’ League was submitted for adoption. Mr G. M. Hell, son of Sir Dillon Hell, presided, and in a lengthy speech introduced the subject, but the farmers present sat upon it immediately. AMr Milne moved “ That the club declines to consider the programme.” He made a fierce attack on the League’s programme, and said the large landowners received the greater part of the benefit from 38 millions of money we borrowed, but they did not want to pay their fair share of taxation now. Mr Dodds seconded Mr Milne’s amendment, and said the proposals had been framed by disappointed politicians out of office. “ He then spoke of a large estate owned by one man, which was cutup, and now 1,-100 people were settled on it. with 200 houses, J chiirches, etc. Every man on it paid taxes, and the value of the taxes had thus beeii multiplied' 1.0 times. It was such a system as this as had caused the town of Gore to be built.”

(Joubt " the big men ” present thought discretion the better part of yfijpp. for tiiey did not put the Question {(j a test. The meeting broke up without '"ivthiug having' been clone, ™d to a- to indicate is not looked on with laved* ™ e Southland farmers. This shows a healthy condition, as it proves that farmers are coming to realise what is o-oodfor them. Tiiey have not had their accounts for taxation yet rendered to them, and believe that as soon as they receive them, they y/itl see more plainly that the present (government are their best irieuds.