A VOICE FROM THE COUNTRY.

Evening Star, Volume IX, Issue 2697, 9 October 1871, Page 2

A VOICE FROM THE COUNTRY.

To the Editor. Sir —I am quite certain that the leading journal of Otago is misleading the people with regard to its oft-repeated statements that Mr Vogel’s financial policy will ruin Otago, because it is tending to limit Provincialism within narrower bounds than hitherto. Now this is the very thing that that journal has all along advocated. Why, then, does it now cry peccavi when that advocacy is on the point of being carried out ? Some writers in the Times go even so far as to talk of rebellion in the event of Provincialism being snubbed ; and is that system of government so valuable that its extinction would cause such a dreadful alternative ? So, sir. The British people are formed of different mould : they will take things into due consideration before taking such an awful step; and, sir, after due consideration, what then? Why, the people of Otago will rejoice over the fallen greatness of the Otago Government, because it is too expensive and too inconsistent. How is our land revenue spent, and how are the land laws administered ? In answ rto the first question, 1 say that the land fund is absorbed in the maintenance of Government and in paying off overdrafts at the bank; and to the second, 1 say that, in defiance of the land regulvt ons, land has betu disposed of in any quantity to relieve a necessitous Government, hard pressed to meet its engagements. I see it stated in print that the sale of 50,000 acres to Mr Clark is supposed to be illegal. Well, L always looked upon it as such. What a position for a Government to place itself in, first committing an act whereby the people are made to suffer, and secondly, committing the same in defiance of legal authority, thereby committing a double offence—the first against the people, and the tecoud in the breaking of law itself. And will the people be grievousl} afflicted if such a Government, like a great king mentioned in the Bible, is to turned out to grass. No ; they will be only too glad to see the whole machinery, machinists, and all riven asunder, and scattered to the winds. But Mr Vogel does not intend to go so far; his idea is that the system should be simplified, and put under proper control. As space forbids my going any farther into the subject of this letter, £ will supplement it upon another occasion, tUat is, by permission of you, Mr Editor.—l am, &c., I am, &c. Rustic us. Waikouaiti, October 5, 1871.