The Pamphlet Collection of Sir Robert Stout: Volume 77
The People's Share in Progress
The People's Share in Progress.
Not only are we entitled to demand a recognition of the important part played by the people themselves in a country's legislation, but we should carefully scrutinise the claims made by political parties as to the influence they have exerted upon the material progress of the colony's industries.
1. | The population in New Zealand between 1894 and 1904 has increased from 686,128 to 807,539; |
2. | Cultivated land has increased in area from 10,128,076 acres to 13,868,074 acres; |
3. | Horses have increased from 237,418 to 314,322; |
4. | Cattle have increased from 964,034 to 1,736,850; |
5. | Receipts from railways have in creased from £1,150,852 to £2,209,231; |
6. | Butter has increased from 60,771 cwt. to 314,360 cwt.; |
7. | Frozen meat has increased from £1,194,545 to £2,793,599; |
And so on.
This line of argument is very popular, but it is very impudent as frequently used by political parties.
Political parties might with equal justice be held responsible for the; potato blight, anthrax or plague.