Repudiation or Ruin—Which?

Observer, Volume X, Issue 604, 31 January 1891, Page 4

Repudiation or Ruin— Which ?

Here are the views of Mr Edwin Harrow, the intelligent Pauper, of Lake Takapuna, on this subject : — I read the daily papers, and am interested to see how free States like the Argentine Republic and Chili struggle to free themselves from the debt that ruins them and their prospects, while enslaved States like New Zealand only go on in the old groove, and think what debt those who have misgoverned this accursed country have contracted we must pay, even if we mortgage all our property to do it. I ask you people how long will you put up with it— for ever? Should you not rise up and say, We will pay no more rates and taxes ? And now the English fleet is expected shortly, should we not, as the South American States have done, get the navy to help us ? English sailors (and I am a sailor's son, I believe, are always ready to help the oppressed. Get them to help us in freeing this afflicted country of the accursed taxes. Let the Mayor of Auckland call a meeting ; let all the Volunteers be called out, and let them embark on board the fleet and be conveyed to Wellington, and let them take that Godforgotten city and all the members of the most corrupt Government on earth, and let them one and all be strung up on the yard-arms of the ships, and let their latter end be even as that of Judas Iscariot, who Ijetrayed J.C., even as the members of the present Government have betrayed this colony and ruined it. Look at the lies daily published in the papers. Only , to-day, news from Wellington that there is great increase of land revenue, and that Auckland is still leading. No one with any sense believes one word of it. I myself spend more in rates and taxes than I receive income, and I a<n dependent on the poor Kaffirs of Natal for enough to support the miserable existence that I now lead, and but for the help of shell-fish I should long ago have fed the worms and beetles, and been a proof that the greatest mistake I ever made was to come to this accursed colony and spend my hardearned African money in trying to improve the lowest and most dishonest race on the face of the earth (the inhabitants of Auckland), if it is possible to find worse than those of the Lake; and I feel sure all honest people will acknowledge the truth and justice of my statements.

During Mr Smith's temperance %rations there was occasional applause, but more frequently there were cries of • Hair, hair !'

• Is your brother pursuing the law ?' • He was, but finding the continual study too much for his constitution, resigned it in favour of a situation as bank accountant.' 1 And now ?' « The law is pursuing him.'