THE OHAUPO MEETING.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXI, Issue 2512, 16 August 1888, Page 2

THE OHAUPO MEETING.

a TO THE EDITOR. Sir, —When I saw it announced that representatives of the road boards in the Waipa County were to hold a conference at Ohaupo on the question of dual rating, I hoped to see ssme solid arguments brought forward and suggestions made that would carry weight and be looked upon as an indication of public opinion, now becoming very strong, in favour ot local Government reform. But when I read the report of the meeting, its utter sterility amazed me. No one appeared to possess any reasoning faculty or logical acumen, nor did any seem prepared with any definite line of argument. There were no practical suggestions made, and the resolutions passed have absolutely no meaning in them. Most of the members seemed to speak in praise oE the working of the County system, some for amalgamation, but all being Road Board men, used only to a very narrow groove indeed and unfamiliar with anything of a broader character, declared in favor of the latter system. The great principle of a consolidated form of local self-government by which we can manage our own public affairs and spend our own money without the irritating interference of a set of pampered officials at a remote distance, this great idea was beyond their dull vision. It was very evident they could not understand it. Yet, sir, and I give you the highest credit for your efforts in that direction, you have taken great pains to point out how necessary is it to reform our whole system of government from top to bottom. The country is groaning under the weight of taxation and misgovernment; yet the blindness and stupidity of tho people themselves cannot be cast aside to lead on to creating a healthy public opinion, or suffer themselves to be led by those who think for them. What evil genius holds this fair land under its accursed influence? I thought you might have commented on the proceedings at Ohaupo, but, probably, you arrived at the same conclusion as myself : —Ex nihil'nihil fit, "Out of nothing conies nothing,".—l am, etc., Farmeu, Whatawhata.