THE Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR O'CLOCK P.M. Resurrexi. FRIDAY, MAY 28, 1880.

Thames Star, Volume XI, Issue 3563, 28 May 1880, Page 2

THE Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR O'CLOCK P.M. Resurrexi. FRIDAY, MAY 28, 1880.

The Premier, speaking on the question of subsidies to local bodies, at Laescon, a few days ago, said that in the present state of the finances, the colony could not afford to grant the subsidies paid hitherto. This course of action will not affect the large cities of New Zealand so much B8 the outlying districts, where if communications are to be kept up with the rest of the colony, Government aid must be obtained in order to make the roads and other accomodation for traffic. la Auck-

land, where a. large rate is levied, the stoppage of the subsidy vrll not be so keenly felt as it will be by the Thames. Here we are at a greater disadvantage than any other township in the colony. We have a very Jarge area of land to look after, numerous roads to construct, and others to keep in repair, while our means of doing so are much less than those of other communities. Nearly the whole of the land through which our roads pass, belongs to the natives, and we cannot therefore rate them. This is one of the sources through which our revenue is curtailed. The local bodies of the Thames do not derive any benefit from the mining property in comparison to that derived from communities in other parts of New Zealand where goldmining is a staple industry. The land on which mining operations are carried on is nearly all freehold, and is in the hands of the natives. In this case of the Thames the amount obtained from Miners' Bights is taken by the native owners in lieu of rent, and we do not consequently attain any benefit from that source. In other towns the amount taken in Miners' Bights forms part of the revenue, but here it only goes to fill the ungodlies of a pack of halfclothed, indolent, and good-for-nothing Maories who have never, since the day Englishmen first landed in New Zealand, proved themselves Otherwise than the stumbling block to themselves and to the progress of settlement. The roads are made through their lands—thereby enhancing their value —and yet all has to come out of the unfortunate Europeans who have to work hard, and then spend a portion of their hard earnings on roads which benefit the Maories who do not subscribe a cent to them, but which are of no convenience to the unhappy ratepayer. Europeans had better make themselves servants of the poor downtrodden natives, who are really a fine race, and require humouring in every way. Poor race! Europeans do not know half the wonderful powers the natives of New Zealand are endowed with. This pro* bable stoppage of the subsidy has had a direful effect on one of our local bodies, bat we trust that the Government will see that the Thames is one of those districts which requires assistance, and that they will grant payment of subsidies as received by us heretofore. Ample reasons can be given for the adoption by Government of this much needed course, and we hope that such representations will be made to the Legislative Assembly, as will secure the early payment of legitimate demands.