THE HON. W. P. REEVES' PLEDGES.

Press, Volume XLIX, Issue 8197, 13 June 1892, Page 4

THE HON. W. P. REEVES' PLEDGES.

When the Hon.- W. P. ReevK3 was ] elected to a seat in tho House, more particularly when he was returned as j one of the members for Christchurch, i he pledged himself to promote the welfare of the community, aud more especially the welfare of the wageearners, by whose votes he secur-ed a seat in Parliament. Speaking in St. Albans on Friday night, he took credit to himself for having kept entire faith with his constituents, and for having succeeded iv carefully studying their interests. And speaking on behalf of the Govern-1 ment he declared, in the same speech, that it had done, perhaps, iv its short tenure of office, of only eighteen j months, more than any other Govern- j mont bad done to deserve the trust and confidence of the masses of its countrymen. These are bold assertions, aud, if true, are easily capable of proof. But has the Hon. Mr. Heeves done what he promised to do? If so, in what,way? Public men must be estimated by their deeds, not by their words. What are his deeds 1 He bas, it is true, secured to himself the coveted position of a Cabinet Minister, with a salary of £800 a-year, a house, and travelling allowances, aud his late colleague, Mr W. B. Perceval, has retired into the comfortable position of Agent-General. But what have these gentlemen given their constituents in exchange 1 Empty words ! and nothing more. Are wages better" Is work more plentiful ? Are the unemployed fewer ? Is the lot of the worker improved one' iota? Or are I their future prospects brighter ? In stefad of all this, is it uot a fact! that the socialistic tendency of the ! threatened legislation has so thoroughly alarmed employers and capitalists that trade is practically stagnant ? It is true, no doubt, that existing businesses are beiug carried on vigorously, because it is human nature to struggle to the last gasp. It is also true that we continue to grow grain and to ship wool aud frozen mutton and dairy produce and the other products of the ruu and farm, tliauka to the extraordinary fertility of our soil and our splendid climate. But there is no progress such as we have a right to expect in a young and half-develop*ed colony. No new industries are being undertaken, and no fresh ventures are being embarked upon. All Is gloom, and everyone who has saved a few pounds is carefully guarding his money, not knowing from what quarter the next attack will come. Of course the Government cannotkill our great national industries, however much they may hamper them, and interfere with their vigorous and healthy development. Ministers appear to think that they are really promoting the welfare of the wage-earners of the colony by uttering vague threats against all who bave acquired a competency. But this is not the way to create wealth and make employment abundant. That oan only be done by assuring to every* member of the community the full and undisturbed enjoyment of the fruits of his own industry. When will Ministers realise the truth of this selfevident priuciple?