STILL IN THE SLOUGH.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XVI, Issue 27, 26 October 1888, Page 17

STILL IN THE SLOUGH.

E have heard of a man — some say an Irishman, some a Scotchman, and others a Frenchman — who, having fallen into a deep pond and being unable to get out, cried aloud, " I will drown, and nobody shall save me." — Our correspondent, " Native," appears to be somewhat in a similar frame of mind. Our correspondent will have it that there is no hopp, that everyone who has uttered a hopeful word has been talking mere clap-trap, and that we ourselves are totally in the

wrong. And yet, on all the main points of our correspondent's complaint, we are in sympathy and agreement with him, and have argued strongly in favour of all he demands. We were aware when our article was written that the Fair Rent Bill had been passed in tke Assembly but rejected by the Council. But we were also persuaded that an Assembly bent on passing a popular measure, and strongly supporting an energetic and earnest Government in doing so, could not be thwarted by a Council — even the puppets, as our correspondent says, of " land-monopolists, absentees, and moneylenders." Whether, indeed, a Council so composed could have any existence, were the Assembly made up of members generally devoted to the public interest, may be doubted; but it is not now our intention to enter upon this question. And, if it be answered that our argument is far-fetched, oar reply is that to destroy an evil you must go to its roots, and not remain satisfied with knocking the top off it, or attempting to do so. Let the voters return men determined to insist on the promotion of their interests, and no Council will balk them. But will the voters do so? We doubt it. Our opinion is that they will continue apathetic, or ready to be influenced, as hitherto, by prejudice ; and that, for many years still to come, the cry, for example, that the education system is in danger will play upon their feelings, and make them ready to be led by the nose in whatever direction it is desired to lead them.

Notwithstanding, we do not despair of the Colony's future. So rich and abundant are its resources that ifc will take a good deal of bad government to ruin it ; and, although it may be more or leas hindered on the path, it must sooner or later make admirable progress. Of one thing we are thoroughly convinced : that is, that lamentation, and mourning, and the refusal to be comforted, although they may do a good geal of harm, and retard recovery in no light degree, cannot possibly do any good. Nor are we quite prepared to believe that responsible men are ready, whenever the occasion offers, to commit themselves by fabe statements and arguments, that they must know will either stultify them or give them the appearance in the eyes of the public of being very tricky characters indeed. Since our correspondent's letter was written, moreover, several gentlemen of good repute have committed themselves to statements of the same kind. We allude to certain speakers at the farewell banquet given to Mr, Larnach the other night in Dunedin. — And we may remark in passing that we fully share in the regrets caused by Mr. Larnach 's departure from the Colony and in the hopes that it may be only for a time. He has been a useful colonist whose absence will leave a blank here, and, were it only that he has shown what the requirements are in, perhaps, the most important of all our industries, that of the mines, his place will not easily be filled. We would ask permission to unite our wishes for his success and happiness elsewhere to the many that have been offered to him. — But we really cannot believe that the gentlemen who spoke on the occasion alluded to were speaking claptrap only or simply making fools of themselves. In all that oar correspondent complains of with respect to the disposal of the lands he has our hearty sympathy. But what is now his remedy ? Not surely to stick in his pond and cry out that nobody shall save him. Let him unite with all those who share his position and bring his and their influence to bear upon their several representatives in Parliament. Let him and them insist on having a Bill to redress their grievances brought in next session, and so supported in the Assembly that the Council will not dare to reject it. But let them not be satisfied with attacking the evil at the top, or getting as much good as they can out of representatives who are not sincerely devoted to the people's interests. Let them go to the roots. Let them resolve to return men, who, being sound at heart, will need no special spurring and who will under no circumstances allow the people's interests to be thwarted — by an obstructing Council or by anyone else. The remedy is ia their own hands if they choose to apply it, and nothing but their own stupidity or apathy can drown them.