An Unreported Conversation.

Observer, Volume II, Issue 40, 18 June 1881, Page 435

An Unreported Conversation.

. An unreported incident in an alleged long conversation which took place between the Colonial Treasurer and Mr Swanson will doubtless be read with interest throughout the Colony. .. Swarison : What confounded nonsense you talked at New Plymouth and Patea about the property tax. Major Atkinson : What was that ? : Swanson : Why, saying that the tax was no bar to . improvements. Why, if I paint my garden gate or whitewash my chimney the assessor will add to my valuation at once. " You do not understand political economy, " quoth the Treasurer. " Don't .you know that •when 2s per gallon was added to the duty on

spirits, the selling price of the article was enhanced to an equal amount, and by gravity of reason the levy of a tax on property increases its exchangeable value to the amount of the tax imposed." " Is that political economy?" said Swanson. " Yes," said the member for Egmont. A softened expression stole into Willies face, and the metallic glitter of his mercantile eye became suffused (for the man's heart at times is like unto' the heart of a little child) as he Avent to the Colonial Secretary to enquire whether the Wellington Asylum was full, and to advise his colleagues to place the Treasurer under medical treatment. Poor Johnny Sheehan went to Taupo and found his friend and acquaintance, William Sefton Moorhouse, very ill. Air Moorwent to Taupo and took two of his daughters and his son with him to give them an outing and holiday. He went to attend his Court, which was to decide on Major Kemp's claims and heartburnings fermented by the ignorance of Bryce. He got a couple of tents from Major Scannell and camped, going a gipsying as he called it. Pleurisy followed, and a doctor was sent for from Napier. Sheehan came on the scene and began to nurse his friend, when his old foe, quinsy, laid him by the heels. Another doctor had to be sent for from Napier to attend the ex-Native Minister. This fact may as well be known in the North, as he was expected at the Thames last Saturday evening to address his constituents. Vogel's financial statement is regarded with great disfavour by the Government. He timed it very well and the strangest thing is that the New Zealand Times published it in full, and commented on it not too harshly. Let those who can read the signs of the" times read through these lines. They are well worth reading through for those who can see. I am told that Mr G. M. Reed has gone South with the object of forming a company to take over the scheme inaugurated by Mr liees for dealing with the native lands at Gisborne. I hear further apropos of this subject that there it some difficulty about the Belfast settlers getting the land they hoped to obtain from the natives through their pakeha lawyer. Your readers may take the following forecast for what it is worth, I think the Bank" of New Zealand is getting tired of the Ministry, and Mr Whitaker is feeling the same about his colleagues.