The Gisborne Standard AND COOK COUNTY GAZETTE. Published every Tuesday, Thursday, AND Saturday Morning. Saturday, August 23, 1890. LIFTING THE VEIL.

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume IV, Issue 497, 23 August 1890, Page 2

The Gisborne Standard AND COOK COUNTY GAZETTE. Published every Tuesday, Thursday, AND Saturday Morning.

Saturday, August 23, 1890. LIFTING THE VEIL.

Be just and fear not; Let all the ends thou alm’st at be thy country’s, - Thy God’s, and truth’s.

The electors of the Southern portion of the East Coast district are not noted for over-keenness in watching their interests : there is a tendency to let things go on as smoothly as can well be managed, and the electors care little about concerning themselves with the busy tactics of wily politicians who are not to be caught napping. But even from afar the little games can be seen through, and friends at a distance stand open-mouthed in astonish ; ment at the ease with which there are accomplished things that the cleverest individuals representing a class would hardly dare to do more than think of if there was a more watchful community to deal with. Really, we cannot help admiring those worthy patriots who so nimbly piloted the Waiapu Separation Bill through the House : the admiration is of a kind, perhaps, that many men .would not feel flattered by— not that we affect to take up an attitude of humility, but because we take it that cleverness may sometimes be admired though it is not by any. means approved of. The Napier: News has, among other papers,, scented the odor of suspicion that shrouds the little Separation Bill, which our member so jubilantly notified as having passed the House. In a late issue of that journal a scathing urticle oppears on the subject—an article so vigorous in tone that we should not like to risk harassing consequences by publishing the whole of it, be it ever so true. The lash is laid on to Mr Arthur with a severity which must make that gentlemanly gentleman wince. The News says he is doing just what was predicted, representing the class interests to the disadvantage of the peoplegenerally. The Waiapu Separation Bill is placed under the heading of “ A Job,” and the colonial aspect of the question is taken up. The evils of his lethargy in regard to the Gisborne Harbor Bill are, says the News, surpassed a thousandfold by the evils of his activity in another direction. “ We refer,” continues our contemporary, “ to his advocacy—successful advocacy we regret to hear—of a bill known a? theWaiapu Separation Bill. The matter is one of more than merely local interest, it concerns the whole colony, and we cannot understand what the Opposition have been about in allowing such a measure to pass its, third reading. Up to the present the Waiapu riding has been an integral part of Cook County, whose headquarters are Gisborne. It is represented on the County Council by two members, and has always had a fair share of public expenditure. Why then should separation be desired ? The answer is easily found. The whole district is either owned or leased by a handful of squatters, amongst whom are Messrs J. N. Williams and Arthur and Sir George Whitmore. There is little or no genuine settlement—huge tracks of country are covered with sweetbriar or the destructive tawini, and where hundreds of settlers might have founded happy and prosperous homes, sheep, and sheep alone, are to be found. To avoid paying rates was the idea which prompted Sir George Whitmore and his friends to bring forward the separation scheme, and Mr A.rthur, as their faithful friend and ally, was only too willing to champion their cause in the House. In doing so he is showing gratitude for the block vote of 65 given him on the Coast at the last election. There is really no need for the disintegra.

tion of the county beyond the desire to escape rating, and, it must be borne in mind, the rest of the county will have to bear a heavier rating for the maintenance of the roads which give the Waiapu district communication with Gisborne, the natural and proper capital of the whole district.”

That is an argument which will yet strike home with force. Who is to pay for the maintenance of the roads to keep up communication with the Northern portion of the district? And the News continues: “‘We want no outsiders here,’ is the motto of the selfish squattocracy,

who have monopolised the fine lands in the Waiapu ; ‘ we wish to avoid rating, whether county or harbor rates ; we want this district for ourselves.’ And apparently they have got what they wanted. There are hundreds of thousands of acres of magnificent land south of the East Cape capable of supporting a large population, but by handing over the control of the new county to the squatter ring, the latter will be enabled to prevent all genuine settlement. They will make no roads, make no improvements, but simply hold the country for themselves. There is but little improvement going on on these runs, the sweetbriar. and the tawini flourish, men are scarce, but sheep are abundant. Such is the natural result of returning men to Parliament whose interests arg- diametrically opposed to thosg of settlement. We would ask the Gisborne people what they now think of their member, who has so shamelessly betrayed their interests, who has succeeded in breaking up the district for the benefit of his fellow squatters, and in retarding.the settlement of one of the finest districts in the North

Island. ’ The : Gisborne electors will no doubt provide an Answer at the next election, and the answer should be one which will be by no means agreeable to the present member for the East Coast.” Such is the opinion of at least one outside critic. We would put it to any man who can judge fairly for himself, is not the opinion one that cannot be ignored by intelligent electors ?