OXFORD AND CUST OBSERVER. PUBLISHED WEEKLY. SATURDAY. August 29 1891.
Oxford Observer, Rōrahi 2, Putanga 105, 29 Hereturikōkā 1891, Page 2
Mō tēnei niupepa
OXFORD AND CUST OBSERVER. PUBLISHED WEEKLY. SATURDAY. August 29 1891.
The want of confidence is no doubt the main cause of New Zealand's woes at the present moment. But the people may very well ask who are we to trust?" Sir George Grey enjoyed at one time the trust of the working people, yet it was 1 he who sold the fairest land m; Canterbury at ten shillings an acre to those whom the present G-overnment consider our social pests." Under the Liberal government of Atkinson, Hall, and Vogelj the Public Works Policy was so manipulated that such jobbery as the Eyreton line and much gridironing'' was perpetrated* And already the present Socialistic regime is failing to satisify the toiling; masses who put them m power. Radical/ Liberal and Socialistic leaders appear equally to disappoint. Where is there ground for confidence Whom are we to trust? The great labor classes essayed.: to solve the problem by allowing an utterly ignorant maii: named Millar, of their own order* to; lead them and with confiding loyalty beyond praise, had it been more prudently placed, bravely marched into a morass. One thinoj is ccleatr t we fnust trust some to be our leaders and these should be capable and qualified by education and experience to conduct the business affairs of this colony and manipulate its finance. Democracy will never achieve great success until it recognizes the very- simple truth that the best of its citizens should, guide public affairs. The old republics of Europe whose; wealth and commerce was sim ply immense chose their most able and trustworthy men to make their laws and transact state business. Men had to prove their capacity m dealin 'With "their ,own" goods oefore they became tha trusted guardians {Of:, the land he who had proved himself worthy as councillor became Mayor; and ultimately attained the highest j offices of state. Before confidence is restored we must lee it be known that only men of principle and real capacity shall obtain our suffrages. v
But the people must them- S^lves study the great laws of Political Economy., It is easy to laugh at this supreme science, but law reigns :here-^s m every bther departnieiit? tif^ nature and providence.] "We are surrounded with hard|a(3tß| are we' to blunder-on, knoctang our heads against the inevitable or take the necessary care "ixT enquire our ;way?. The prevailing sentiment at the present time is to elevaie ijETfiTw*" 1 est stratum of society, to remove^ as much of the burden •of w. as possible from the shoulders of the toiling masses and J to diffuse universal comfort and content. In this Cplpny there's. not the slightest difficulty ,tp do it. Here is the finest country m the whole world,, it be-! longs to about half a million of us and yet we are Jjarrasseji and worried^ beyond irieasure t We must sink our prejudices^ cla.-s antagonisms, bur ehVy 'of those who are better off, and on the broad- lines jof tKutbvand' justice see how the situation is to be mended. .Like a, lot of., silly women or screaming Frenchmen we arein'a commotion and fea#y c to riii',' after any rascal with the gift of the gab' who will pander to our passions and make us. won* derful promises. Jb orsooth, are there no eternal principles m; the matter and no hard headed Scotchmen who will think them out and stand to /'them t> Depend upon it we are not go, ing to jump into. ]^ar a,dise or reach Utopia at? a^ siA&e! *But we may .calmly jlearn, the best price we can jna^ei^of dude oif this rii^Mid kM "how we can cd l uitabl»y share it. Not byi"griabbihg" lor 'we shall suffer like a greedy boy who ate all the cake hot by suspicion ofiour,; best men,!' by general discontent and tap .room politics -—but by S|?hsiply f stgdying the laws of social polic^ and then by tucking Tip pur shjrt sleeves, .people must .study the, sober writings of our best and r,eally practical authors,,, such as Fa wcett, i Marshall, and the more pihiloso|)hic treaties of S pehcer and Mill and weigh! the opinions of the great Chancellors such as Goschen, and Gladstone and the more popular deliver^ncysoWby Brighti or Lord Derby. are the geniuses of none mdre since?ejy idi^si^eid^ the peo-j pies yrelfare. Qur idea runs in| this direction 'Ti:aaes Unions something like iihe old^:^ii|ds' working, mi barmjony witli ithe employers.: Co-operation .-the exclusion of al.l alien'?;, J itj4inigrantei arrivals,, j?x-. cepttouristsiiino abseutee bond holders or mortage' es mo'der- 1 ate, protection-pin a jWior^, Jseeping New Zealand all to our-? selves. Are these sound principles So niany of them as may .beicanAvit.lbe'reaMecJ alt on^e; it would .be mischievous to attempt doing, so— bujb^ we may earnestly 'set' abo'ut^honestly! and gradually carrying them out.
Some to stare, and laugh, and talk Some go there to meet a friend. Some their idle time to spend Some for generaihjjbservation. Some to seek or find a lover, ""■~SosSe"a*cburtship to discover Some go there s td use theirleyes, .7 And neweat fashions criticise Some to show their own smart Some their 4 neighhors to assess Some to scan a robe or bonnet, Some to price the trimmings on it Some to learn the latest news, That friends at home they may amuse Some to gossip false and M, Some hide within the 1 slleltering pews Some his daughters to admire °3pfne Wtf.sftdn i %& t^&w*, w 3 .Some, tp lpupge4an4.?pmj Ifflsk> Some to claim the parish doles.. Some JTor^b^re^^^mi^e^r'^oyis^ Some because dt's, though^ #en^e}. Some to Vaunt their plods izeal ~>Some>hbw'l6ud their: Vj)i<Jf sj TWgTM a His style and- voice to praise or fear Some for^Hreaeiis tor imptojfeoioe Some their s^ns jto "varrnsh .o'er Some to sit, and doxe^ and nod. But few to ktiee^afad wo^shipTXiodtJ
