POLITICAL REFORM

Waikato Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 2666, 13 August 1889, Page 2

POLITICAL REFORM

TO THE EUITOK, Sir,—lt has been said that tho study of politics is a fruitless one, and perhaps if we look at it with that narrow viow, which is dominated by the word itself, there may be considerable truth in it, but if we look broadly at the circumstances of this colony, blossed in the most bountiful manner by Nature, yet has been, through the want of knowledge and integrity of those who have ruled it, brought to the very verge of bankruptcy, it will be seen that a better knowledge of political economy (not " political dodgery," for of that we havo already too much) on the part of what I might term the common people would not only be protitable, but is, if we are to make any progress, and leave to our successors anything better than a legacy of debt, a vital necessity, for of what avail are our fertile lands and large harvests if the results of our labour are to be immediately swept away by bad government and heavy taxation ! And I know of 110 way in which such knowledge and general information about our public affairs can be acquired and diffused better than by political clubs established in every town •nd township. The chief in making a practical use of public opinion, no matter how strong it may run, is to get the electors to think together and then to act together, and so long as each country district is to a certain extent isolated from the other, and each settler almost in the same position with liis neighbour, what chance is there of united action ever being takan ? With respect to the constitution of the clubs littlo need be said, they would doubtless be the outcome of deliberations of more experienced men than the writer, they should be open to all (of whatever state or persuasion, religious or political), but • one essential point, underlying their whole structure and power for usefulness, would have to be rif>idly adhered to, this is, loyal support to the decision of the majority, whenever a question had been fairly decided, either by tho individual members, or by the different; clubs. Without this principle, no combination of men, however numerous, can have much power ; with it, a very small district has, before to-day, carried great influence, and I would respectfully point out, that until we bury for ever tho paltry considerations and fatal local jealousies, which havo dividod and weakened us for so long, and band together in ono common cause for the country's good, we need expect no improvement in our members, for they are but the reflection of ourselves. What I have written may appear presumptious to many, but by those like myself, who work hard throughout the year, apparently for the chief purpose of supporting an exorbitant and unnecessary taxation, to keep up an army of idle and ungrateful parasites, 1 will be understood. —Yours truly, K. C, SHK.phkuii.