What a Country Settler Thinks of Matters Political.
' TO THE EDITOR. Sib.— l was rather amused on reading Mr Ballancb's speech at Palmerston to see that the farmers were going to be " grateful to the end of time " for his new sobeme of taxation. Mr Ward, too, spoke at if he had all the farmers [of Southland at bis baok, and could speak with authority on their behalf. Truly those Liberal politicians have a "guld conceit of themielves." Perhaps I ought to beashamed of myself, but I don't feel grateiul for thme new mercies. Youjeee, we|never asked for the repeal of the property tax ; indeed we were rather anxious to bear our share of the colony's burdens. We are not accustomed to having favours flung in our wav like this, and our first feeling is delighted surprise. The next is dark suspicion- what can it mean ? The wily sparrow deoliues to eat the poisoned wheat. Will the " cockatoo "be leis " fly " than the sparrow ? There must be some reason fur bbis generosity. I would advise my fellow settlers to keep an eye on these Liberal gentlemen. They are two generous an 1 ) too sweet ; and yet sometimes the cloven hoof peeps out. Mark Mr Ballance before a country audience at Palmerstoa. How he loves and respeots the farmers - " the men v ho really bear the colony on their necks." Then hear him addressing the citizens of Dunediu : how he sneers at the farmers for taking the part of the Hallway Commissioners against the labour unions' and forgetting their own grievances. But perhaps he has been misrepresented by that vice Tory press, which is always misrepresenting our men of light and leading. Beware, O Civil— "Thouitgefcthyfairln'j Iv h— they'll toast ye like a herrin'." Horrid wretch I— traduced the humble shepherd of Puke v hat Vlfci-natne— derided his birth 1 &a. If it had been only a rascally Tory like Spence or Blohardson we could have applauded you. or maybe given you a banquet , but to point your finger at a Liberal —oh, shame I Mr E'litor, this talk about Liberalism and Conservatism is all humbug. All men are Conservatives, because they want to keep what they have got, and some of them are Liberals because they want something more. thus, a Liberal is merely a Conservative whose ambition i* satisfied, or who wants to gain popularity, place, or payment by talking soft nothings to the " many-headed multitude." If our legislators be men of common tense and honest principles wo need not care what particular " ism " they profess.- 1 am, &0., A Country Settlbr.
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Otago Witness, Issue 1967, 5 November 1891, Page 11
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433What a Country Settler Thinks of Matters Political. Otago Witness, Issue 1967, 5 November 1891, Page 11
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