THE POLITICAL SITUATION AND GOVERNMENT LAND-SHARKING.

Daily Southern Cross, Volume XXIII, Issue 3025, 6 April 1867, Page 6

THE POLITICAL SITUATION AND GOVERNMENT LAND-SHARKING.

Bf To tht Editor of tb« Daily Sowmnuc Gross. « Th« worth of a State, in the lon* run, ii tht worth of ths iudlvlcluaU compo»lng it." Sib,— May I request your insertion, for the benefit of our law-givers, of a few quotations from the writings of the greatest master of the art of thinking, and the highest authority of the day upon the influenoe and functions of Government : r " A Government cannot hate too much of the kind of aotmty which does not impede, but aids and stimulates, individual exertion and development. The mischief begins when, instead of calling forth the activity and powers of individuals, it substitutes its own activity for theirs; when, instead of informing and advising, it makes them work in fetter*, or bids them stand aside, and does their work inttead of them. A State which postpones the interests of individual mental expamion to a little more of administrative skill, or of that semblance of it whioh practice gives, in the details of business,— a State whioh dwarfs its men, in order that they may be more docile instruments in its hands, even for beneficial purposes — will find that with small men no great thing can be accomplished ; and that the perfection of machinery, to which it has sacrificed everything, will, in the end, avail it nothing, for want of the vital power which it has preferred to banish. A good Government will give all its aid, so as to encourage any rudiments it may find of a spirit of individual exertion. It will be assiduous in removing obstacles and discouragements to voluntary enterprise, and in giving whatever facility may be necessary ; its pecuniary means (when possible) will be applied in aid of private efforts, rather than in suppression of them, and it will call into play its machinery of rewards, and honours, and encouragements to elicit such efforts. Government aid should only be given in default of private enterprise, and merely to train the people to habits of energy, when necessary." Public opinion will endorse the above admirable ideas. Some functions of Government are necessary, some are optional. The first and chiefest of the necessary functions are to afford perfect security of person and property; next, not to bring about over* taxation, nor to levy taxes to support uncalled - for governmental interference — ■uch as between buyer and seller — of » compulsory character. In this province the Government have a monopoly in the purchase of land, which they pay for out of the overwhelming taxes, and this land they munificently give away. Does the preisnt financial state of the province justify this liberality ? Better be just before you are generous. The smaller capitalist can buy land better and cheaper himself direct from the natives than through the agency of the local Government, as witness the public sale of small farms by auction (with no ridiculous dictatorial upset prices of 10s. or 15s. per acre), by Mr. Cochrane, about a month since, of lands for the natives near Biverhead. This simple fact is better than • thousand failaoioas assertions, and proves that both race 3 now see clearly they do not need the very kind and of course disinterested interference of the Government ; and if the Europeans tolerate it any longer, we may be sure the natives won't. The native wno chicken ; he is well able to walk alone; he receives for the runs at present taken in Poverty Bay and elsewhere at least, on an average, fid. per acre rent, with no end of restrictive clauses in the lease. Now in the South Island the rents are under Id. per acre for grass land. He distrusts the Government, with reason ; the land is his, but he is not allowed to do what he likes with his own — a gross and unjustifiable violation of his liberty. He smarts under unfair and exceptional legislation, and considers he should stand on an equal footing with any other man. Nor does he find the Government the best of pays (others complain of the same failing). Is the Katikati block paid for yet? A small deposit, I believe, is all the natives can get ; but that is a lien, and shuts out any bonfc fide cash buyer. Facts are stubborn things. It is a fact that every increase of cost is a prohibition — a tax ; it is a fact that any interference in the common operation of buying and selling is unjustifiable, and an infringement of legitimate liberty. It is a fapfc that a large and immediate saving could be made in the Survey Department, if the Government gave up their land-jobbing ; but then, shall we say unfortunately, there would be a considerable decrease in their power, patronage, and influence. It is a fact that the universal cry throughout all parts of the province is, want of employment and want of cash. How are these two wants to be supplied ? Is it by introducing more 40-acre settlers ? What, is the revenue of this province derived from land 1 What is the amount of the agricultural exports ? Does not the province depend completely for its support, as to the necessaries of life, upon the productions and imports of other countries ? Is not the drain of capital enormous to pay for these imports, and do not most vessels leave Auckland in ballast ? Is this commerce ? No, commerce is the exchange of one thing for another; and a merchant is the man who carries on this business : here, with I think two exceptions, there are only importers — no merchants. Is it not simply common honesty to live within one's income — for men or governments ? Is it not egregious folly and pride, on the part of a sfcrrtggling colony, to sink capital in extravagant buildings and such-like unproductive investments? Ha 3 not dodging and subterfuge prevailed long enough ? "By their fruits ye shall know them." The public feeling seems to be that public affairs should be placed on a safe basis ; that the house needs greatly to b% set in order ; and that a "new broom" will do itbest.— lam, Ac, LIBERTiJ3.