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Bush Advocate, Volume XXI, Issue 285, 5 June 1909, Page 8

Of the eighty-eight miles of the Suez Canal sixty-six were cut and twenty-two are lakes. The highest- clouds reach ten miles above our heads. They are the white, feathery forms which we see on a clear day. Although apparently motionless, . they travel from seventy-five to ninety miles an hour. When a Chinese hank happens to fail ; all the clerks and managers have their heads struck off and thrown into a heap, together with the books of the firm. For the last 500 years not a single hank in China has stopped payment. A gentleman, named J. Sinclaire writes as follows in the Auckland Star:^ — ''Sir, — At the late meeting of the Farmers' Union, a member lamented the 'awful fact that only 6 per cent, of -farmers., generally were members of their union.' Another said: 'We, tlie farmers of New Zealand, if we vote solid, are the. Government.' That is, 94 per cent, of farmers are indifferent, or hostile, to the Farmers! Union. But land speculators, usurers, members of tho flour trust, and monopolists of every kind 'rote solid' with the Farmers' Union. A working farmer, tells me that the changes effected by the Bal-lance-Seddon-Ward . Administration save him some £20 a year, through State advances to settlers, fife insurance, rating" on unimproved values, abolition of property tax, Customs duties on tea, sugar, etc. Should not the above union style themselves 'The -Speculators, Usurers, and Monopolists' Union'? It /represents the, interests of these 'dangerous classes' very faithfully, but certainly does not represent the bona fide- working farmer."