LOCAL V. NATIONAL POLICY.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 2694, 17 October 1889, Page 2

LOCAL V. NATIONAL POLICY.

TO THK KlilTOI!. Sin,—The .system of representation upon the basis of population of electoral districts cm only be good in practice or theory bo long as the policy r.f tlia Irgshifiire is mm of a national character. ]f local policy ii 11 bo the policy of individual repicsentutives, any material or permanent pi ogress of New Zealand, either in its internal economy or attainment- of rank progressive m character among nations, is simply impossible. The narrow and selfish views, the outcome of local policy, the cffecc of which wo have suffered enough from in the past, should not be countenanced in any degree whatever by any people possessing free institutions. Town and country interests, which are one and the same, at once become antagonistic. So long as what is called " Localism " exists in our midst, it produces that want of unity which alono will fonn a strength calculated to secure permanent prosperity to both town and country distiicts, as the progress of both by natural laws must be co-oval and co-equal j therefore, if these principles are recognised as they must be, your remark that Waipa requires nothing but what is nec;ssary to other parts of the colony is strongly based upon a foundation of truth which ii'ay be reasonably deemed as indisputable. .New Zealand requires, in the first instance, the immediate awakening of all and every of the electors from political apathy, and be determined to elect only those of a national political creed. When this basis so necessary to ultimate success is once established, then the following policy may be reasonably anticipated for the future Strict economy in every department of the State, and a gradual but progressive tendency of legislation to create an incidence of taxation and railway. policy calculated to encourage settlement of our lands, increase production in every line, enlarge our exports, thereby create an inflow of specie to bo succeeded by ample employment at remunerative wages to the whole community, both town and country, and as the spending power of the people increases, the receipts from our Customs duties will become capable of reduction by decreased taxation in that direction. It in generally acknowledged that all wealth | must originally couio from the land, tho natural inference is that this production should bo fostered by every available means, any temporary sacrifice with which this policy may be attended, will pay gwd and compound interest. Such appears to me to be tho attitude which our internal policy should immediately assume, in order to put "Our house in order "for the dawn of events which are to come can be discerned upon the political horizon which point out, that in a not very remoto future, New Zealand, in conjunction with other parts of Australasia, may have to play an important pait upon the world's stage, which will claim all her attention.—l am, etc. Vn.L.iuu PoIii'ICVAX : AN KLKCTOR FOR WAII'A. Taupiri.