THE Temuka Leader. SATURDAY, MARCH 11, 1893. MR ROLLESTON’S SPEECH.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2475, 11 March 1893, Page 2

THE Temuka Leader. SATURDAY, MARCH 11, 1893. MR ROLLESTON’S SPEECH.

The Hon. Mr Rolleston’s speech will not add anything to his prestige. He did not succeed iu getting even a vote of thanks, and we feel certain he did not make many converts. It is generally an easy matter for anyone criticising a Government to arose enthusiam and secure the plaudits of an audience, but Mr Rolleston, failed to do so in Auckland. Indeed, he narrowly escaped getting a vote of censure passed on him, for a vote of confidence in the Government would have amounted to that. Mr Rolleston told the people of Auckland that the Government do not deserve credit for the prosperous condition of the colony. Last year he prophesied that they would ruin the colony. He told us that they were galloping to a deficit, that they were driving capital out of the country, that the price of money would go up, and that the farmers would have to pay a higher rate of interest. The Government have an enormous surplus, money is cheaper aud more plentiful than ever, and the eyes of the world are turned on Now Zealand now as the most prosperous corner of the earth. Is it not strange that Mr Rolleston cannot see the incongruity of his criticism 1 What else could have made the colony prosperous I Last year’s harvest was practically lost, this year’s harvest is nearly as bad, owing to unprecedentedly low prices. In the face of a ruined hnrvest aud low prices Mr Rolleston says the Government have fallen upon prosperous times, not because they have done anything to deserve it, but because the country is prosperous in spite of them. Why is it the country did not get prosperous in spite of previous Governments when wheat was 3s 6d aud Is 6d a bushel, and wool and frozen mutton dearer than at present t We should like Mr Rolleston to answer that. The honest truth is that the policy of the present Government has done a great deal towards bringing about the prosperous condition of the colony, aud we believe that most people will credit them with it. They have done marvellously well during the past two years. There is one point in Mr Rolleston’s speech which is deserving of particular attention. He has declared that his party has no intention of going back to the Property Tax and that they would stick to the Land and Income Tax but desired to modify it. The modification he suggested was to remove the Graduated Tax off large estates.; That we may take as the first plank in the policy of the Opposition. There is about £75,000 obtained from the Graduated Tax, on large estates, aud we Want to know who will pay this if it is abolished ] It is as certain as that day follows night that if £75,C00 is taken off large estates it must be put on small estates, or on tea or sugar, or something else. The money must be raised, and if one class do not pay it another must. The difference then betweeeu the present Government and the Opposition is this : the present Government want to place this burden on the shoulders of the wealthy; the Opposition want to put it on the shoulders of the poor, and the country must choose between them next election.

Mr Rolleston, also complains very bitterly that the perpetual leasing system was destroyed. Who destroyed it llt certainly was not the present Government; it was destroyed by Mr Rolleslon aud hie friends. Mr Rolleston also stated that ho was not iu favor of bursting up large estates, nor could he approve of the Cheviot purchase. No one has so far as we know attempted to burst up large estates. What the Government have so far done is to buy them out at a fair valuation. Mr Rolleston has also declared himself opposed to what is known as Labor Legislation. All the measures supposed to be originated by the labor party he opposes, so the working men know what to expect from him. On the whole we think Mr Rolleston would have done much better to have stayed at home.

THE QUEENSLAND RELIEF FUND. Hr Blyth, chairman of the Temuka Town is nd, has received a cablegram from Brisbane that send money is preferable to sending pTu.^, 06, m ’O r easily be seen that money is Had the necessities of Queensland arisen from a famine, then produce would be most suitable, but in this instance the people want more than food. Their houses, their furniture, and their effects have been swept away, and they want money to replace them. Had it been a case of famine the people would ave their homes, but tlieywoiikl want food, and to semi them food would be very appropriate, but iu this instance people want more than food. They want assistance to build homes for themselves, aud consequently money will suit them bettor. It is, therefore, to be hoped that the money will be sent. We know now what is wanted, so there is no excuse.