WHAT HAS THE GOVERNMENT DONE EOE US.

Waikato Times, Volume X, Issue 929, 6 June 1878, Page 2

WHAT HAS THE GOVERNMENT DONE EOE US.

Sib, — When Sir George Grey officially visited Hamilton, and addressed the inhabitants upon the general political questions of the day, he -concluded by saying, " The Government would do their utmost m reference, to this particular part pf the country, to assist them m straggling against 'the difficulties they had to contend with, . and carry them on m that career of prosperity upon -which undoubtedly they had now entered." Although agreeing with several of the principles enunciated by the Premier, I cannot give a silent appearance of assent to such an iitterancej even from such . a source, m case it may be inferred that the Waikato 'had reaped advantages other than those which her own exertions, together with . that spirit of determination : which placed her m the position she now occupies, have obtained for 'her. Can it be shown that we are indebted to any Prime Minister that ever swayed the destinies of New Zealand for our advancement ? Have any of the several Superintendents of the province lent . us the least aid ? The Waikato has been like a man struggling m the water for life, and now, having almost reached the shore without aid, assistance is promised! It is true that the Provincial Legislature vainly taxed its ingenuity to locate small farm settlers under the Forty-Acre system. Equally abortive was the attempt to retain the military settlers with their fifty acres and town allotment grants — neither scheme being accompanied by any vital principle for support (such as public works), upon which alone they could be expected to exist. After these expensive trials' of localisation by both Governments had so signally failed, to what or whom do wo stand indebted this day for that career of prosperity so pointedly referred to by the Premier ? Wa* it to" -the Public WorJcs Policy V No. Was it foreign capital suddenly brought to test the capabilities of the district upon a gigauti-j scale V No. Did at any time the Government open the largo tracts of swamp land m the vicinity of public works (that families might "be locator], with a viow to their final settlement)? Was thereover an enactment of tho Legislature for drainage of the o-reat. swamps to ultilise them V If these are answered, as they must be, m the negative, where then arc we to look for the. true,, eolation of the problem so manifestly* set before us and so -specially referred to V A great country has been opened up, roads hays been ma:le through, it, tens of thousands o* acres oi swamp and other land have ;been reclaimed, put m grass, and under qultiYatiou, stocked with thousands of jjheep

and cattle, largo townships are settled m Oar midst, businesses established, handsome and costly structures erected, the whole having sprung- up as if by enchantment. Hal not such men ,as Alfred . Cox, Captain Steele; Messrs Russell, Mnrdoch, Whytc, Morrin, Graham, and others embarked their private capital hi this great enterprise, ■where, I ask, would have been the Waikato this day? A solitary' waste untraversed for all practical purposes, would be tho reply, Men of enterprise, with capital at their command, have accomplished this work; by their selfsacrifice and indominable courage they have riot 'only brought other 'capitalists' into the district, but have been the means of settling a poptilation suited to the coimty, who, hi their turn, m place of following the plough m. other parts, have realised sufficient by their -exertions to become possessors of steam engines, small farms, . horses, carts, &c, while ; even the Government enugrarits,,; with then.: hard earnings, . from "the same source;, have become the^ppssessors of allotments with houses erected thereon, and other signs of general comfort. The very suggestion of the location of labour without capital is repugnent to the' principal of progress. Equally so will it be found with regard to capital if it is not left uutrarhmeled— if it does not have that free scope that m a new and undeveloped country is so essential to its progress , and very existence. Tax oapital unduly, and you drive it away from your midst; -invite; its encourge'- it, nurture it, employ it, and, you; will still have the admiration,, support, and promises 6'f 'ilie ruhng statesmen of the time. •To-'- 'enteW further upon "these questions— viz. : the employment of foreign capital, the effect of the Native Policy on us>(as far as the veil- has <■■ been lifted that has shrouded vthat mysterious Department), the necessity for a strong and , vigorous Opposition sin the next ; session of Parliament !to ..support those principles necessary for^ the. maintenance of that process 'tij which .we have been taught to look forward : to— would, I feel sure, occupy: too much of your space on tho present occasion.— Tarn, etc, Albert Potter.