The Gisborne Standard AND COOK COUNTY GAZETTE Published every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday Morning. Tuesday, August 21, 1888. BEWARE OF THE TRAP.

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume II, Issue 185, 21 August 1888, Page 2

The Gisborne Standard AND COOK COUNTY GAZETTE Published every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday Morning.

Tuesday, August 21, 1888. BEWARE OF THE TRAP.

Be just and fear not; Let all the ends thou aim’st at be thy country’s, Thy God's, and truth’s.

When dealing with a certain class of men it is necessary to peer beneath the surface to enable us to discover by what motives those men are actuated. Assuming that we had persons of strict principles to deal with, it would be an indication that there was a lurking of evil on our own side if we still retained a feeling of suspicion; but when the principles of those persons are known to be of a questionable character it should only follow that the utmost caution is exercised. In the same way must we regard a ceriain phase in connection with our harbor trouble. Though not accusing Sir George Whitmore and Mr Ormond of dishonest motives, we know well that in their political reputation is not included the virtue of unselfishnessTo put it mildly they have done much better out of their country than their country has or is ever likely to do out of them. The late interference of these men in connection with our harbor has led us to speculate on causes and effect, and those speculations are not by any means reassuring—they lead us to the conclusion that this unfortunate district is threatened with an evil which even the black flag that on Sunday threw a gloom over the works cannot fairly indicate to us. We apprehend that Poverty Bay is to become a prey to the avarice of that class which is a curse to New Zealand-— the notorious land shark. Their covetous eyes are upon us, and if the situation is not grasped in time, we warn the people of this district that the result will be that all the spare lands will fall into the hands of those rapacious monsters who think only of self, self! And why it may be asked, does this supposition occur now with such force? Well, the only way to-gain an insight into the future is by closely watching the current of passing events. There is now a better chance than there has been for years past of getting the restrictions on our native land laws removed, as it is only right they should be. But mark the active interest which Whitmore and Ormond have lately taken in connection with our harbor works. We have proved, by his own words, that one is a political turncoat of the meanest order. Mr Clark remarked the othc r evening that the person referred to had two sides to his character. Speaking of politics, we, should like Mr Clark to show us that Whitmore's character has more than one side—we have not yet been able to discover more than the one side. As to Mr O-tmoud, the least said the better—he only got in by a bare majority at the last election, and that is likely to be his last shift in that line.

The scheme, we fear, is to take advantage of the divisions on the harbor question, and if the point is gained, it follows as a matter of course that both supporters and opponents of the harbor will have reason to bitterly regret the result—it being understood that the land grabbers are excluded. They say, in effect, “ provided you allow us to evade the payment of rates, you can go on with the work.” That is, that those within the ten-mile radius may take upon themselves a burden which would mean nothing but ruination. Everything would go down to that level to which there is no lower depth ; the town would be worse than bankrupt, while all the smaller settlers would be completely crushed out. And where would we find our “ noble friend ” the land- sharks ?—they would have swooped down on all the native lands, which they would get into their maws by means best known to themselves; then they could rest quietly biding their own time. No troublesome rates to pay-nothing to do but look on and smile at the simplicity of the townsmen and the more thrifty farmers I When the disgraceful game is completed, influence can be brought to get the Government to construct roads and give other accommoda. tion; the remainder of the harbor loan can be utilised on the present or any site that suits the “ powers that be,” and all will go on as merrily—for the sharks—as the proverbial marriage bell. There may be wailing and gnashing of teeth among the unsophisticated victims, but the land-grabbers can then snap their fingers at those who dare to raise their voice I

Are we going to tamely submit to this vile scheme? Some may tell us that our speculations are the result of a warped imagination, and we do not pretend to adduce facts in support of Our assumption, But experience has taught the people of New Zealand, and more particularly of this district, some very severe lessons, and if they have not profited by those lessons the blame will rest on their own heads. All the native lands, it must be noted, are beyond the radius, and we have reason to believe the effect of the Lands Bills is even now being anticipated. We contend that an early settlement of the harbor question Is a matter of vital interest to every one of us—w;th the exception of the Whitmore-Ormond element, who stand to gain everything and to lose no more than they are justly entitled to pay. We should have a definite understanding as soon as possible with regard to the harbor—whether it is to be gone on with or stopped—and then the unanimous voice of the

townsmen and settlers might have some weight, and enable the district to escape from the trap which we fear has been laid for it. Our cry has all along been that the lands have not been thrown open for settlement, but we would far rather see the Maori live and die contentedly on his own uncultivated land than that the vast areas along the coast should get into the hands of a certain class, by the means that we most, dread.