FIAT JUSTITIA.

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume XXII, Issue 1677, 9 August 1892, Page 3

FIAT JUSTITIA.

To the Editor.

Sib, —It ie jaef twelve months sincn the Peninsula farmers hold a Toeeting to protest against the novel system of taxation which was about to be introduced. Might -we not repeat the performance with advantage now, when we are in a position to diacuee, not only the land taxation, but also the many other pernicious proposals of the present Government ? The Canterbury farmers and Country Settle™ Leegue is trying hard to cave the farming coramuniiy uf this island from the harsh treatment with vvliich it is threatened. Might not we Akaroa farmers strengthen their position by meeting together end at any rote publicly express our approval of their efforts? Of course, if oar formers do not mind being epeoially selected for unnereseary end unfair taxation, if they «to prepared in the future to pay a higher rate of interest for any loans which they may require, and to find themselves put into competition with the Government in the labour mrrkot, then there is no reason why a meeting of our country settlers phould be called together. But I am inclined to think that this ie not the case, end that oar apparent indifference is rather due to the rise in valnes of eheop and cattle, which has made our settlers more than satisfied with the Present, and prevented them from realising the importance -to themselvee in the Future, of the change of feeling which ie apparent in every action at our political headquarters. Farmers are, as a rule, disinclined to look very far afield, or to interest themselves in matters which do not force themselves anto notice. Small birds are a nuisance, and farmers may possible combine to reraovp that nuisance ; while they ignore the infinitely greater danger which a bad 'Government in, perhaps at the time, inflicting on them. Arbor Day gives us an obvious opportunity for securing beauty and profit in the future, but judicious legislation secures such an infinite amount of ell round good that it deserves at least en equal amount of attention at the hands of farmers, and should have, like the email birds and the trees, a particular day set apart for its cultivation, I will not trespass further on your ppace by enumerating the mnny wrongs which directly and indirectly will be inflicted on the Canterbury farmer under the prepent rule. Most of your readers are fully aware of them. I trust, however, that my brother farmers in thie county will not allow their silence over the Government proposals to be taken tfoi consent. High prices have their diawbacks as well as thoir advantages. Oppression of the farmers and the country «ettiers mnst inevitably lead to a paralysis in trade aud scarcity of employment ■everywhere.—Yours, etc,

F. A.ANSON.

Pereki, Aog. 6th. 1892.