LETTERS TO THE EDITOR.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 14708, 16 June 1911, Page 8

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR.

WANTED— CHANGE OF GOVERNMENT. Sir, — have just read in a Southland paper that Mr. Hanan, M.P., says, on his return from Melbonrno, that "there was the warmest admiration in Australia for New Zealand's achievements in democratic and social progress." Hero is one> item of our progress. The last Year Book shows the arrivals and departures from and to Australia as follow : From Australia 25,548 To Australia 28,995 New Zealand loss 3,447 To December 31 last the arrivals and departures from all parts of the world were :— Arrivals ... 35,769 Departures 32,361 New Zealand gain 3,408 Of this number 1000 wore, children. But there were 3990 assisted immigrants in 1909. it' the same number were assisted last year, then more than the whole of our increase is duo to State-aided arrivals. The excess of arrivals over departures since the Ward Government came into office is as follow : — To Dec. 31. „„„„ JO.JS 12,848 1907 ••■ 5,710 1908 HUM 1903 '4.710 1910 3,4ta This is one sample of what Mr. Hanan, M.P., calls our "' achievements in democratic and social progress," The value of wool and meat exported this year has beaten all records. Ministers 'of the Crown assure us that "everything in the garden is lovely." Yet the people who arc in it are clearing out, and the people, who don't know New Zealand are coining in, many of them only to move on when they find out what they didn't know. And to make matters worse, poor people are coming in to replace men with money who are clearing out to Australia, where they can get cheaper land and freedom front the harassments of a Government which is everlastingly setting its sails to catch votes. Not large capitalists, but men with £10,000 ami thereabouts, are clearing out. Hard to prove, no doubt, but true, nevertheless. ' Will Mr. Hanan, or anybody else, an- ', swer this ono simple question : Why is it that the moro prosperous we become, the more we. borrow rind the more we tax? Another: If Australia, admires our "progress " so much why are more people leav- j 'ing New Zealand for Australia than come; the other way ? Every candidate through- j out New Zealand ought to be asked those questions. Mr. Ilium n says that the Labour loaders in Australia expressed a hope that they might be able to accomplish there what lias been done in New Zealand. My interviews with Labour leaders drew forth entirely different views. They were astonished that New Zealand had no Labour party in politics save those rcpre- ; sentative's who were professedly in sympathy with Labour and yet supported Sir Joseph Ward, because they had not the courage to risk defeat, in the interests of the party to which they truly belonged. , Their view is a correct' one. Mr. Millar and Mr. 11. McKenzle arc not and never were in agreement with Sir Joseph Ward in politics, but they are all in the same boat now, and since "office" is the centre pivot of Ministerial policy, why should either of them fret out into the wet to oblige a party that has nothing to offer them bill" hard work, scope for courage and self-sacrifice, and the risk of defeat? Had Mr. Hanan sounded the right men, or having sounded them, correctly imparted to the public their summary of the position, he would have had a very different storv to tell. New Zealand wants a new Administration, and wants it quickly. Any party that will break the back of the party in power will render a national service, if it only remains in power for sis months. The present party is exhausted and effete. It wants to be pieced in opposition for its own good, as well as the country's. The sooneftnis is recognised the bolter. F. M. B. Fisher. Wellington. THE SHEFFIELD CHOIR, Sir,—.For weeks past I have followed with great' interest, through the columns of your paper, the. movements of the Sheffield Choir, and I am summed that up to the present nothing has been arranged in a public manner by the citizens of Auckland to welcome the" members of the Sheffield Choir on their arrival. We saw by cables the. I threat enthusiasm that was shown in Brisi bine and in Svdney. and what had been j done to make the members of the Sheffield ! Choir welcome in those cities. In Sydney I Iho Automobile Club undertook to convey i all members to their respective homes, seven steamers went, out to meet the Zealandia to escort them to Sydney, a ball I was given in the. Sydney Town Hall, etc., etc.. and what has Auckland done so far? Is it not. possible for some of our influential | neoplo or musical societies to arrango a j tit fin" welcome to the Sheffield Choir? i Auckland has a beautiful harbour, Auck- ! land lias several musical societies, and, ! above, all. Aucklanders aro reputedly musical. Why not show some appreciation, and give a fitting welcome to one of tho finest, musical bodies in tho world? It. certainly will be a surprise to the members of the Sheffield Choir if the Auckland public continue to show that, apathy and indifference- that has up to the present been displayed in this connection, and the coolness that exists up to the present will certainly reflect, upon the citizens of Auckland. Wherever that choir has been, they wore received by the Premiers unci Majors of each town, and much public interest and enthusiasm shown by tho citizens, and they will certainly draw comparisons, which will not be favourable to Auckland. I sincerely trust our citizens will wake up at. once, and chow, the members of the Choir that wo do not intend to he behind other cities in the warmth of our welcome. Thanking you, etc., A Lovkr of Music.