The Polynesian., 1841-09-18
xO


reef even to the deepest ocean. Though
those particular fish which the general tax
officer prohibits, and those OF the land
lords which swim into those seas, are Ia
boo The fine Of those who take prohlb-
tied fish is specified above.
9.-Advce to the Governors and Landlords
1t shall be the duty of those to whom
the king gives lands to see that they do
not establish other landlords under them
selves but over the people. Let that bu-
sness come to an end. The establishing
of a multitude of landlords over the same
tenant, the travelling Of the people great
distance to the work of their landlords,
and thereby leaving all the affairs OF their
lands in bad condition, the harboring of
multitude Of sluggards, and women too
who do nothing, the chiefs and the land
lords grinding their tenants, the making
of feasts by higher ranks, for the purpose
of getting the property Of the poor: the
taxing Of those people who desire to do
business with their landlords, and that too
by the district and land agents, and with
out any fault on the part of the people,
the landlords forcbly urging the people
TO trade contrary to their wishes !; the I'M
equal punishment of criminals by the iudg-
es-the proper name for these things
mentioned in this section ls-,hleviSh
seizure, unjust taking away, robbery, un-
just taxation, unjust oppression, imposing
urgent burdens-avarice. These are the
notwithstanding blasts which impovcrish
the kingdom. This conduct of the gov
ernors and heads of districts, and chiefs,
shall cease. Let no criminal act of the
kind be done hereafter for 10 . these are
the blasts of the land Let none Of the
landlords under the king, and none Of the
land agents under them do any Of all the
things forbidden in this law. If any one
Of the persons spoken of in this edict do
any Of the things forbidden in this law,
he shall pay all damages sustained by him
to whom he does the damage, and if he
continue to do thus, his fine shall be, that
he shall no longer be a landholder in these
islands, and they shall be fined to half the
amount of the property which was sought;
such is the fine of those who set aside the
directions of this section.
The business of the governors, and
land agents, and tax officers of the gen
eral tax gatherer, is as follows: to read
frequently this law to the people on all
days of public work, and thus shall the
landlords do in the presence of their ten
ants on their working days. Let every
one also put his own land in a good state,
with proper reference to the welfare of
his body, according to the principles Of
Political Economy. "The man who does
not labor enjoys little happiness. He can
not obtain any great good unless he strives
for it with earnestness. He cannot make
himself comfortable, nor even preserve his
life unless he labor for it. If a man wish
to become rich, he can do it in no way
except to engage with energy in some bu-
siness. Thus kings obtain kingdoms by
striving for them with energy" The di-
vine teacher said to our first ancestors
thus, In the sweat Of thy face thou shalt
cat Bread" and that is the business of
those most particularly spoken of in this
law. Reflect we'll on the meaning of the
words spoken herein.
m The hus;necc oc thu ch;oc, tLa ,r,,on.