The word itself may be unlovely, but the thing it signifies has railways, and bridges, and schools, and all other good things in its hand 5 we would sooner— much sooner—be selfish than be taxed. We have no idea of starving to give our brethren of the North shrimps for tea. And, after all, what is this pleasing selfishness] It may be best illustrated by its opposite " communism." In the case cf an individual this will be readily seen. Broadacres has a few thousands per annum, and Stiggins ten guineas per week. Broadacres is selfish, we suppose, because he does not give Stig gins ten other guineas to enable him to buy property for his children. Those who maintain that Ofago should sur render her land fund to a common stock in order that Auckland should have an equal share, are communists of an anti quated type, are led astray into the no tion long exploded that equality is ab solutely possible, and that it is the duty of the State to redress inequalities every Saturday night by a redistribution of profits. No doubt this new system of economics has many advocates, but it has generally been found necessary to enforce its acceptance by rifles and |>etroleum, banlers and the tri-colour; and we are inclined to think that in New Zealand at any rate the doctrine will not meet with any general accept aace.
