The Waikato Times AND THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE. THURSDAY, NOV. 27, 1890.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXV, Issue 2867, 27 November 1890, Page 2

The Waikato Times AND THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE.

THURSDAY, NOV. 27, 1890.

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

It is a matter for congratulation that there is at the present juncture in the history of this colony a man of the stamp of Mr Bryce. His address at Cambridge on Wednesday evening should have gone far towards dispelling the muddle which has been produced in the minds of a section of the people by the utterances and writings of faddists and panderers to the worst instincts of the people. They have been persistently taught by Sir George Grey and his followers that robbery is no sin where the parties to bo operated upon are the owners of land, wh® are characterised by these gentlemen, if not in so many words, by implications as being the enemies of their race and standing in the way of progress towards elysium by their fellow beings. In olden times it was looked upon as commendable to rob, persecute, and maltreat the descendants of the children of Israel, a custom not out of date, oven to-day, in certain portions of the Russian Empire. Tlio disciples of Henry George hold very much the same opinion with regard to those who own any portion of the soil. They ignore the fact that they only claim as a right that which they, or their predecessors in ownership acquired in accordance with tho law prevailing at the time. Henry George tells us that the land must not be suddenly confiscated, —that would not look well—but that the owners must be gradually taxed out of the ownership, in ether words must, by the deliberate act of the State, be gradually reduced to penury, and that which, they owned divided amongst the population of the country. This may appear rather an exaggerated statement of the desired position, and would no doubt bo indignantly repudiated by the advocates of the single-tax, as being too plain an explanation not to make their most silly followers shrink from being parties to the perpetration of such an iniquity. The advanced and noisy advocates of the land-tax of course agree that the tax they propose is merely for the purpose of meeting the current expenses of the colony, and for that purpose is tho most equitable that can be imposed. Where the equity comes in we leave them to explain. If it is equity to make the most hardworking and worse paid section of tho community bear the major portion of the burden of taxation, equity has acquired a newdefinition at the latter end of this nineteenth century. It is somewhat on a par with the equity contained in tho proposal of Sir George Grey to tax the bondholders. He practically says wo have been spendthrifts and foolish, those who were silly enough to trust us have thoreforo a right to suffer with us. These people wore not, however, silly as, if wo know anything of the character of tho people of New Zealand, we shall pay our debts honestly. We beliove also that the | sense of justice inherent iu the people will prevent tlieiu, who acquired and paid for land, and are struggling to improve it for their own and the benefit of those who are to come after them, from being subjected to a class tax -which in most eases would frustrate their laudable designs. Thero is a split in the camp of tlia would-be land taxel's, tho rank and file favour the taxin" of oveiy acre, whereas Sir Geor°e Grey favoured exemption up to £500. Tho former advocate their system because they can see no other way by which sufficient revenue can be raised by sieans of the class tan, or to gratify thsif passion for vengeance on the unfortunate laud owner. Sir George was in the position of wooing the suffrage ot a largo number of sukj.ll holders, and he proposes the exemption; a modicum of honesty, 'which is quite neutralised by th& other proposal we havo alluded to, and condemned. But he was challenged to show how both ends wore to be rnado to moot. There is also a party which advocates taking the laud arid compensating the .owners, tho fallacy of this proposal is more thau exposod by Mr Bryce, aud \vo refer our readers to his remarks. >Vo perfectly agreo with Mr Bryt#, in thinking it both desirable aud just that a means should bt duvtSfld for getting at absentee, and non-inipi'o-ving IWI-holders, but the difficulty, as he pointe out, is in finding a means without inflicting injustice on others.

Thai, an income i&s. v»ould roaliso tins suni sot against it Sir f/rfioi-ye Grey, we lnivo very grave doubts, ivo allude to tlio portion of it wliielt could be collected by a, rospcctablo g/.yoniruciif;. Allowing that it would, wd both his t:ikcs were imposed tjicye would

still remain a largo deficit to be made up, if the Property-tax were to be abolished. Every tax is of necessity objectionable, and the Property-tax is so in many respects, but we must confess to inability to suggest how the objectionable features are to be got rid of, oi another form of taxation which would display less defects. The Land-tax is certainly not the key to the problem. The opinions quoted by Mr Bryce of leading political economists and thinkers should meet with at least respectful consideration by the Land-taxers themselves. The proper mode of dealing with tho lands still held or to be acquired by the Government, is open to differences of opinion. The object in view should be mainly to secure that these lands shall be as speedily as possible taken up and occupied by suitable settlers. The main point to be considered therefore is, which system is best calculated to attract such men. Mr Bryce was perfectly right when he pointed to the perpetual lease system as being the most attractive, and the reason he gives for this being so is that provision is made that it shall be optional with the leaseholder to convert his lease into a freehold. The lease obviates the difficulty of smallness of capital to farm successfully, and increases the chances of success to the selector. We ask where is there a more desirable settler than the man who takes up land and by his exertions places himself in the position to acquire a title to the land he occupied. The desire to own may be the result of oldfashioned sentiment, but let that sentiment be wise or false, if it exists, it is the duty of tho legislature to gratify it, for the reason that it is their duty to secure that every acre of land so far as practicable shall be utilized. The Village Settlement scheme has, unfortunately, if not turned out an utter failure, not proved a success. When Government aid ceased and there was no demand for labour in the neighbourhood, or extraneous means of earning money, such as the gumdiggings, the selections have been largely deserted. That this would be the case was fully anticipated by those who had had experiences of breaking in land. Land without money sufficient to live for a period without return or employment for labour in the district, is about the most injurious white elephant that could he presented to a man.

The volume of expenditure, or rather its reduction, is at the present time the question which the members and Government will have to face when they meet in Wellington. That it must be largely reduced is a palpable fact. The country cannot and will not try to stand further taxation, it is too proud to repudiate its liabilities. There is no longer any loan money bag in which to dip, when a financial difficulty arises, as has heretofore been the case, the sinking fund has gone, Treasury Bills are universally tabooed as borrowing, against which the country has sternly set its face. The present revenue with the present expenditure must result in deficiency for the reason that the two sides of the ledger will not balance. There is only one course therefore open to Parliament, it must practicc the most rigid economy. This it will be compelled to do, and it will be popular if it can convince the people as a whole that it has exercised this compulsory function in the manner least oppressive to individuals, least deterrent to the progress of the colony, and without turning to the right or to the left when convinced that it was on tho right road. Mr Eryce points out that it is a painful duty to retrench, so is that of the surgeon who amputates a limb or otherwise mutilates a man's body, but he does it because he believes that the whole body would shortly decay did he not do so. The people of the colony must not complain if they find that amputation of Government luxuries takes place in their case, they will be justified in insisting that all must suffer alike, and that the amputation is necessary, when they have done this they must grin and bear the deprivation. They will have to do it, so for the sake of appearances they had better do so with good grace. They must not, however, lis'on to the cacklings of amateur surgeons who of necessity are incapable of diagnosing the cause or seat of the disease, and in consequence are more than liable to amputate the wrong limb. Mr Bryce, by the tone of his addresses, fully appreciates the responsibility which attaches to him at this juncture. When bespeaks it is not only to the electors of Waikato, but to the whole colony, and we shall hail with satisfaction the fact that the carrying out of the economies and reforms which are unquestionably necessary had fallen to his lot. Wo should do this from patriotic rather than personal considerations, for >ye feel confident that a more unpleasant or more onerous duty has seldom fallen to i jtfya Jot of any man as that which will ieyoiye upon the man on whom the mantle cjcscciicls. Mr Bryce is hopeful for the future, p. necessary element U> bringing success He lias already sjwvh himself impervious to abuse whe|> poijvinced ho was doing his duty, he lias had large colonial experiences ub a practical settler, as member of the House, and as one of a Ministry to i Ajyide the destiuies of the colony. The $4£i;eeses which he has recently 4eliverei|i prpye ii&p )}'-■ has been an afit scholar in ljotppuvaie, ;/.nd public schools of jife.

In connection with the financial troubles in England and the Argentino, several large failures are reported both in New York and in Pittsburg.

A meeting of tho friends and supporters of the Hon. J. Bryce is convened for to-day at half-past 12 o'clock in The Waikato Times Buildings.

The meeting of the Hamilton Amateur Swimming Club has been postponed till to-morrow evening, owing to the Sports Committee meeting this evening.

The Maiden Race at the late meeting of the Waikato Hunt Club having been declared void, the race will be re-run on All will's course on Saturday at half-past two p.m.

The Age lias specially commissioned Mr Deakin, ex-Colonial Secretary, to proceed to India, and inquire into the methods of irrigation and wheat-growing pursued there.

A Maoii named Te Miti Rangitoheriri and a European named James White were " run in " at Cambridge on Monday evening for being drunk. They were both brought up on Tuesday and A horse attached to one of Mr W. F. Bell's carts bolted from near Mrs W. Cussen's place on the Ohaupo Road in the direction of Hamilton. The animal was however, stopped before any damage waß done.

The programme of the annual Morrin3ville sports, to be held on Monday December 22nd., appears iu this iasue. The programme includes both horse and foot races. The prizes offered are liberal and should secure good entries.

At the annual meeting of the Raglan County Council held yesterday, Mr R. C. Mathias was elected chairman for the next year, and Mr Jas. McGuirk was appointed as the representative of the Council on the Waikato Hospital Board.

A party of ladies and gentlemen from Hamilton intend visiting the Waitomo Caves at the end of the week. They will leave Hamilton on Saturday, and stay that night at Otorohanga, proceeding to the Caves on Sunday, and returning to Otorohanga that night, coming to Hamilton on Monday.

On Tuesday afternoon a horse,, attached to a spring cart belonging to Mr Hobbs, of Kirikinroa, bolted from Hamilton Hast, and galloped across the traffic bridge, being stopped in Victoria-street, Hamilton West. On the bridge the runaway met a buggy containing two ladies, who, however, pulled up quietly and averted a collision.

A well-known official in Hamilton has, we hear, received intimation that a resident of Hamilton prominent of late in political matters, stands a very good chance of being proceeded against by the Auckland municipal authorities for a very flagrant breach of their by-laws, for " hawking " the electorate of Waikato about Auckland city without license.

It is notified in our advertising columns that a concert and dance will be given in the Cambridge West school on Friday the 12th proximo. The proceeds will be devoted to painting the school. This entertainment has already been postponed several times to make way for others so promoters of entertainments in the Cambridge district will kindly bear in mind that December 12th is appropriated.

Messrs McNicol and Co.'s sale of pedigree bulls and horses, to be held in the Hamilton Borough Yards to-day, gives promise of being one of the largest over held in Waikato. All day yesterday both buyers and sellers kept coming into Hamilton and large numbeis of horses were brought in. Catalogues of the bulls to be sold from the Waikato Land Association with full pedigrees of the animals will be distributed at the sale.

liast evening a rery successful plain and fancy dress ball was in the Oddfellow's Hall, Hamilton Last, and at which about 50 couples were present, Mr McCullough made an efficient M.C., and oxcellent music was provided by Mr Wishart, on the violin. Some of the ladies dresses were excellent, he most conspicuous being Miss McCabe, Flower girl; Miss C. Hill, Shavings; Miss Clarkin, Swiss Peasant; Miss Hyde, IVench Peasant; and Miss L. Hill, Fire Girl. Among the gentlemen the most noticeable were: Messrs Cassidy and Hill, Stockmen; Mr G. Hyde, Jockey ; and Mr W. McCullough, Broken Down Swell. Dancing was kept up till a late hour, and all seemed to enjoy themselves thoroughly.

At a meeting in Edinburgh recently, Mr Robert Lockhart gave a short sketch of his recent visit to Australia, New Zealand, and America. He strongly recommended any Scottish farmers who were struggling and wearing out the best of their days here, and spending any little money they had in giving rents to the landlords, to go out to Now Zealand, and by investing in about 100 acres of land they will soon have a comfortable home, and oring happiness and joy to their families. He would say to agriculturists that he had heard of no place that bore such crops as the land in New Zealand. Plenty of land could be pot for about £4 an acre, and the average production of oats 00 to 80 bushels per acre, and sometimes as high as 100 to 120.

As will be seen by an advertisement elsewhere, the To Awamutu Musical Society's next performance takes place on Wednesday next, the 3rd December, in the Public Hall, when Vanßree's cantata "St. Cecelia's Day," will be givon. It is a charming work, full of melody, and both the choruses and solo parts are most effective. St. Cecelia, who suffered martyrdom about 230 a. D., has been assumed by musicians as their patron. Raphaol, Reubens, and other artists have lent their genius to immortalize this saint, and her praises have been sung in English by Chancer Dryden and Pope. The second part of the programme will consist of selections from JVlaritana and various operatic choruses, &c. Altogether we anticipate a musical treat for the people of Te Awamutu.