The Waikato Times AND THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE. SATURDAY, DEC. 1, 1888.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXI, Issue 2558, 1 December 1888, Page 2

The Waikato Times AND THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE.

SATURDAY, DEC. 1, 1888.

Equal and exact justice to all men, Of whatsoever state or persuasion, religious or political.

A caiiljE message informs us that Baron de Worms has denied in the House of Commons that Lord Kmitsford or the Marquis of Lothian had approved of the schemes of colonisation propounded by Mr W. L. Rees. The Baron further stated that the New Zealand Government had cabled to the Imperial Government to the efl'ett that Mr Rets' figures in his proposals are entirely misleading. We recently pointed out the glaring mhstatementa made by Messrs Rees and Wi Perc, in their public addresses in England, in regard to the lands declared to be ready for settlement in the King Country and the central division of the North Island, and also with reference to the disposition of the native chiefs towards their great scheme. The action taken np by our Government in placing tins Home Government, British statesmen and capitalists, on their guard against being misled by the rash and inaccurate fabrications of the two speculators, is very commendable as protecting the good name and integrity of the colony. When Mr R;es took his departure for England, it was asserted that he was armed with credentials from the Government, letters of introduction from Sir George. Grey, and re commendations from various public Indies. How much truth there whs in these assertions we are not in » position to state. It is a fact, however, thit then, and since Mr Rees' scheme was proruul. gated in England, a section of the Preis in this colony endeavoured to incite public approval towards it and alsi th« tavonr of both the Imperial and colonial Governments. The extraordinary character of the schi mi a-id the bold statements made by Messrs Kees and Wi Perc have, however, brought upon them general condemnation ai dangerous to the good faith of the colony. We are, therefore, glad Ministers have discountenanced their proceedings in good time. Much and devoutly as wo wish to aee our population increased by liberal measures encouraging the colonisation of our waste, lands, we would prefer to see these lands over-ran by rabbits and gorse rather than have the national faith and honour of New Zealand sullied by any connection, however slight, with deception under the giiisi; of philantrophy practiced on the E-.iglnh people by visionary balloonists. We have, surely, hail quite enough of that sort of thing, and must iro hack again to honest men and honest dealings.