ASSES—NOT MASSES

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 7057, 19 February 1910, Page 7

ASSES—NOT MASSES

(To the Editor " N.Z. Times.") Sir,— Referring -to Mr James Grove's interesting letter in your issue of to-day, in which lie status that we h«.v. " neither rights, freedom, nor liberty of (iny kind, but tiro to all intents ami purposes induntrinl slaves" I should "ko to ask our local members of I'aidiament, wiio profess 'to be Liberals, why it is that they do nothing to alter this deplorable shite of affairs. I have been taught to iljolicve ..tJiat Hie principle* ot Liberalism are freedom and .justice. .If that is so. then why do not our so-called Liboral M.F.'s fight, and fight persist- j ently na though thoy meant business, for a radical change of our rotten ecoiio-1 mio system? If they will .mot do so Vhffr\ constituents should relegate them to the] thick mists of obscurity where they came from, and put real, rod-hot, unflinching Radicals in their places. Until they do this Parliament -will continue to humbug them by ctoyine- with effects instead of dealing with the root-cause of our social evils—the appropriation of ground rents by private individuals instead of by-rh« State. What do we pay .members for? IVUv, to paw laws in favour of t]io wageVirners, who. of course. constitute the Kution. IVo i>,iv them with a, view to .prcm-ins laud reform which willgive the j»,n,=. iira freedom and justice ' nnd very jnuc-li more of Hie wealth they cirento. The v'Hvels ..re no b-.-ttor off than, they Kfiv- l.mr-ty years a:?-j. -Splendid prorrei- '. >b? T'ar'i'tnentnHar.K will, .do otivlhi-.f rather than-touchy the present e<Ymonvc conditions, which, if chunked, would ""owli their own pocket*, because most of them are either-landowners or tho hangers-on of landowners. Therefore the mnwes^— apses. I fear, is more correct—should out with them. Wo want n. clean sweep of the whole lot. 1jo:c and dice. We want neither landholders, law. yers- nor "brewers to safcruard tour interest". "We have experienced their generosity and noble liiisWfiVhn'vs /n the Old Country. They take su.eh a kindly interost in the wa^e-ea ; rnei - s. ; Thrt time has arrived when, we should cry " Enough!"—l am, etc.. ... "TV. OKTON SYKES. Ade-Laidie roa/t, February 18.