CHE HUNDREDS ACT. TO THE EDITOR. TO THE EDITOR.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 2799, 26 January 1871, Page 3

CHE HUNDREDS ACT. TO THE EDITOR.

TO THE EDITOR.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir—l find Washington Irving makes the iollowing remarks, which, though written many yearn ago, and from his experience in other countries, I think you will agree with me, are applicable to present times, and to Hew Zealand in particular. I think if the Otago public would ponder upon his words before the election, it would m«ke them think, if they are bound to be ridden, who $hey would like to be ridden by, and only

place in the saddle as their representatives or masters men who would be inclined to ride , them with a light lein 5 and their former experience of some of the candidates ought to be a warning and guide to them. Washington Irving writes as follows :— "It would seem to be the main business of man to repine at Government in all situations of life into which I have looked. I have found mankind divided into two great parties—those who ride and those who are ridden. The great struggle of life seems to be, which shall keep the saddle." In the first place! and to begin at the head, has our Superintendent ridden us hard or not, and does he deserve the saddle again? When he came into office the last time, in what pesition was the estate of the people, or the waste lands, which were more particularly placed in his charge? Of over six millions of apres in the hands of the squatters the only claim or charge on them was when they were required for purposes of settlement. The squatter to be reimbursed for improvements (if he had made any) to the amount of not exceeding three years' rental, : and this was considered then by the squatters ; themselves as a very handsome thing given them by the Provincial Council, the present writer being nearly the only member against it. . . . .. Now let us see how we stand now. Why, according to this precious Hundred"? Act the squatter was entitled to compensation for improvements without limit. He could plough, sow, reap, and mow; lay down in grass; after impoverishing the best of his land with as many crops as he | likes, and then turn1 round on his landlords i—the people—and say, now pay me for my j improvements, and 2s 6d an acre besides or jhere I will stick. Not only that, but unless | some Commissioner appointed by the General I Government: will recommend it no land can be jtaken for settlement at all. The-Superin-jtendent, I maintain, has been a traitor to jthe people by aiding and assisting in robbing j them of their property. The amount of j money required -nowto bring back what he j has, given away would amount in round [numbers to something like, siiy, .7one' million' [sterling, including, compensation for improvements, "2s 6d an acre for land taken for settlement, besides. Is 6d an acre for the rejmainder. ■ ■ Surely this is being ridden with a yen- 1 igeance. I.hope people wiU;ponder well ibeiore, they give; their "votes to their enemies. jMind, the Superintendent is not, alone. jThere are the other members of the General jAssembly who, almost to a man, aided and 'assisted. Let them all b8 swept away at jthe same time, and let us find fresh jockeys, [who will ride us a little easier, and not take :the very shirt from our backs. It certainly seema unlikely that the members of, the General Government should have assisted in this gross injustice to enrich the few at the expense of the many unless to serve some purpose of their own. Were not the General Government induced to accede to this spoliation by: a promise of support ? hence .this great; loan scheme for the benefit of the North at the expense of the' jSouth..; ■■ It certainly looks queer—the unanimous votesof our members to give this large sum to the Bquatters, and the unanimous yotes of the same men to support the gigantic loan. This extraordinary unanimity on the twoevents seems to have some connection each other. One thing is certain, if the people,with their- eyes open, da not make something of a clean sweep it serves them yery well right if they suffer. • | It is very our representatives have not done their duty by us. lam one who dares to speak his mind and intends to vote for Reid.—lam; &e.y . Geo. Lloyd.