The Press SATURDAY, DECEMBER 19,1896., THE ADVANCES TO FARMERS IN CANTERBURY.

Press, Volume LIII, Issue 9604, 19 December 1896, Page 6

The Press SATURDAY, DECEMBER 19,1896., THE ADVANCES TO FARMERS IN CANTERBURY.

During-- the election there was much made of the advances to settlers, and the aid thus given to farmers. A return of all the advances up to the 31st March, 1896, is now before us. We find that in Canterbury the following are the amounts advanced to the various electoral districts:— £ Ashburton «.,'■'.■■ *» 4,115 Ashley „ «« 15,310' Avon ~. .-.200 Ellesmere _' :; M 5,295 Lyttelton ' «. — 400 Pareora M ~ 14,520 Rangitata — -. 9,085 Riccarton ,« ... 900 Selwyn «. ' ». 4,370 £54,195 The total amount advanced to the whole colony, up to the date named, was £722,427; so Canterbury did not get quite one-thirteenth of the whole. Some electoral districts have got as much as all Canterbury:— Masterton got ... £58,220 Egmonfc „.-.•■'« 55,960 Rangitikei „ _ 63,610 It is also worth noting that the advances and electors of the " right colour " seem to go together. It is so in Canterbury—Ashley, Pareora and Rangitata, Ellesmere, were all represented by Seddonians. In the North Island it is just the same. The point, however, that is of importance to Canterbury is that it has guaranteed this one million and a half with interest for fifty years, and its settlers have received the munificent advance of £54,195. There are many millions lent on mortgage in Canterbury. What effect has this small advance had or could it have in Canterbury? These figures should be sufficient to show the farmers

that all the talk about assistance having come to them was mere electioneering bunkum. As in the distribution of the loan money, so in the advances to settlers, Canterbury is made a mere guarantor for other districts. It has got no advantage from these borrowings—in fact it asks for no privileges. It will, however, be taxed so that other districts may be bribed to keep the most politically corrupt Government New Zealand or any other colony has ever had in power. When the farmers of Canterbury sufficiently realise how thoy have been deceived we have no doubt a reaction in the districts that return Seddonites will be seen. Meantime Canterbury sends to Parliament Messrs Meredith, Flvtman, Joyce, Steward, &c, who all worship at the shrine of Seddonism.