OUR PROSPECTS.

Tuapeka Times, Volume V, Issue 238, 22 August 1872, Page 8

OUR PROSPECTS.

(To the Editor.)

Sir, — The mouse freed the lion by eating through its bonds, but the reverse is the position of us colonists — the allegorical mice of Otago — as we cannot free ourselves from the bonds by which we are submissively being " coiled up " by the lion of Judah, and the most insignificant mouse amongst us, and generations after us, will not escape the destruction and ruin that has be,en, and is being, spewed out by the dragon of the North — our present Government. I Surely this present session, cannot pass without some St. George springing up to rid our fair islands of their despoilers. I care little for politics ; but when even the most insignificant members of the community must feel, in one form or other, our most oppressive taxation, and with only the prospect of increasing burdens, without hope of alleviation, through, not theoretical, but hap-hazard legislation, it is' a duty to attempt to make our voice heard in lemonstrance, whether or not we succeed in driving off from the fast putrefying- carcass the swarm of blow-flies which are battening and gorging on its vitals. The Victorian j Duffy Ministry will long f stink in the nostrils of honest men ; but, to ray olfactory nerves, there is a more powerful odour nearer home. Almost every weekly,, newspaper records some fresh and, generally, needless appointment, made, to my view, to strengthen the hands of those Jehus who how hold the reins ; indeed, in this line, of progress, we shall soon fee comparatively like the Highland., chiefs- army,, which consisted of "four and twenty*' men and ti ye and iwenty, pipers. We are starting business on the Great JDiddlesex Insurance plan ; we have a fine (?) s staff of office-bearers^" but no business. >• I may, be allowed to, say that I hope my views of the present and the future of New Zealand are wrong, and that my distorted vision may have a remedy ; but this I do not expect from the construction of railways now ; the time may cpme when these would prove a source of wealth to the colony — now they will prove, its y,uin, , ;Accumulated capital there is not ; therefore we go to our uncle ; but, as 'said* relative resides in a distinct establishment, none of the interest, on loans is spent" for the good of a common housekeeping. In the first~place, whatis to pay this interest ? Wool cannot, as .a few waggons withdrawn, fora short season ?f rom supplying diggers' dtorefe can" overtake that staple; grain cannotdo it, as Otago is essentially not an ; agricultural province, 1 , sefctjng aside r l;Ke. discreditable way in which the land. is locked, up; for grain we :must naye^a nearer market than -Britain, and that we have not. Population is a myth— population without manufacture -population without land (for where - { is "the' sturdy. British, 'labourer wBo 1 wouicl 6e better of? in Otago, with possibjy.a. goldfiekls lease as his reward, a! nominal ; land holder afr rack rent, a tripled .taxation- from the old country's, and his nose at 'the gruidstone to ; all eternity?) Population ' in the North Island will increase on account of ihe, quality of land, and as .an, assurance df' iiflm,ijrii^y.*frpm Maori jtroubles ob-i tain 4;) Jbut ,-that. will not -support railwa^traffijj^. We ai*e patting "the'-coat 1 of 1 the- g»ownf marf oji thef infant',' and it |wont fit Leji, us .catjt ' as'i^e 1 t'llis J|e wish' .gabardine 'Sft^, be. 'clothed with'inonest} h.omesputj, p Z^land; needft hoj

lactftlous prosperity ; gradual, but feure, ! t<wtfg <eoilnVyy s: &% wiftr individuaTs';-; gettaug^oh> otf 8t' 3 suddeii Implies risk} , .\}*\ jom^hpje^ysjajm- has been; andisj o so, o w.hjoliy deyoid of foi-esight. that^ #ut {$$„ tj}e " marvellous elasticity of din? resources, we, would, long. .since have. V9© n crusjjed-T-the extra qtraw breaks tliecaniei's back, however light it, is being laid on. Tlje Brogden .contracts will ndt'fail to be exposed, if our members , are not purblind to un extent I cannot believe; The immigration scheme is absolutely disgraceful ; and, so far, as has come to light, is doing more hatm than good. Featheratone seems to be a square man in • a round hole, and altogether unsuitable for hia billet. His salarly saved would have profited the country more than all his hordes of Scandinavians. ¥3 want men witih some capital as well as labourers ; and once let ais see the dawn of prosperity, and colonists' reports to friends at home will, do more than a dozen such Agents General. Some one of us may live till he sees good results from " commissioners " being sent to the old country' ; but can any one point to. any,, good resuits from C. D. Young's. mission about the Clutha Railway (unless, Maca'ndrew considers it a judicious plant) ; to Birch's and Seaton's appointment, to Friberg's, or to that sham of shams, Featherstone's and Bell's pleasure trips; while Vogel's visionary scheme of a Panama Mail service never seemed to me anything but an excuse for an extravagant, trip, which we taxpayers can ill afford. It is well that the Americans and Victorians can recognise a myth from the substantially useful. The downfall of the Duffy Ministry has brought to light much that for them, the darkness had better have covered. "Would it be otherwise with Fox's tail. If we must of necessity have less talent, which I do not admit, give us at least honest men ; and surely there is " onem an in Sardis who hath not defiled his garments'" — Batiacotjta.