THE HUNDREDS ACT.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 2801, 28 January 1871, Page 3

THE HUNDREDS ACT.

TO THE EDITOR. Sib—l was pleased to see in your leader of to day) an impartial and comprehensive review of the much talked-of and much : abused Otago Hundreds Regulation Act. We have been so long literally bored with the empty ravings of those who seem determ'nedto make this Act the stepping-stone to political position, that it is quite refreshing to see the real facts of the case stated with : equal clearness and fairness. There has been such a mist thrown over this Act by a lot of designing would ba politicians, that 1 am not astonished at the partial success they have achieved in beguiling those who have not carefully studied it for themselves.: lam ! equally confident, however, that as they have gained their success by misrepresentation of facts, so will they reap deserved reward when the glamour is taken away from the eyes of their supporters by the publication of the Commissioners' report. As their success has been based on falsehood, their downfall will be regarded by every right thinking man .as a'rpublie blessing. Nothing can, stand long in public estimation which has not truth for its basis. If anything were wanting to show the I titter hopelessness of Mr Reid's candidature ifor the Superintendency it would.be,the fact iof his making this Act his chief election cry. I 1 am sorry to say that he not only tries to ■ make it his winning card, but that he twists :and perverts it to suit his own selfish ends. j It is pitiable, to see a gentleman in Mr ; Reid's position pandering to the ignorance of -thepeople, and taking advantage of a popular "hue and .cry " against the squatters, • which he has so carefully fanned for reasons best known to himself. How can he expect: the support of those who thoroughly understand the matter ? Why, the very working I classes, when once they see how they have j been hoodwinked, will ba the very first to ;show by their votes that they can treat such conduct with the contempt it deserves,^-1 jam, &c, Fair-Play." '; 27th January. v ;. ; ' ' .-- -'■ ■■ ■■■ ■ .