LABOUR AND LAND.

Press, Volume LXV, Issue 13467, 6 July 1909, Page 8

LABOUR AND LAND.

TO THE EDITOR OF "THE PRESS."

Sir, —"Sowing the wind and reaping the whirlwind." I think there are not wanting signs at the present time of this adage having been carried out, and this to a great extent through a Liberal Government countenancing the harassing labour laws, together with the peculiar trend of their land legislation. Everyone admits that the labourer is worthy of his hire, but when in this connection a Government allows itself to be forced beyond the bounds of prudence, the question resolves itself into what may be almost termed mob rule. The writer has been a worker in this paradise of the South (as it-should be), and declares without fear of contradiction his sympathies to be with the worker. In my opinion, New Zealand is now only reaping what she has sown. How many industries capable of giving employment to thousands, might have been established in our midst, but were choked off by the insecurity attached to such ventures through tho occasional extortionate demands of Unions—the Otira railway works, to wit. To settle th«V people oh the latud is acknowledged by sli to bo a sound principlo of political economy. Mr Seddon and Mr Rolleston were lioth warm advocates of thi3 I'oiicy, bat how widely different were their methods! To the former's extroiiie views, which almost verged on confiscation, may be attributed in a great measure the present backwardness of land settlement. Would-be fanners with capital, the most desirable class for any country, appear to be fighting shy of New ZealandT and I am afraid will continue to do so. unless some measures are adooted for the purpose of restoring confidence. We had some wholesome words of advice last weok from a Canadian, Mr Carew, an intending purchaser of land here, re the immense areas of native lands in tho north, with magnificent harbour ac commodation easily available, all lying comparatively unproductive. Kept biok for what? What an anomaly it will be if compulsory acquisition is only to be put into operation in cases where lands that have been wrung from the wilderness in the early days, at the cost of incessant toil and deprivation, while the present unoccupied northern territory is allowed to remain in its primitive condition. Should the aborifjinal owners be allowed to become landords? Nothing would be more suicidal to them as a race. Put or keep them on the land by all means as freeholders

with European neighbours, them in tho arts of scientific and this would make them aelf-"__jgpg§|Mßk_ Many years experience of thftnj^SJiH^■ character and habits compels mo lievo that to encourage amongst them would bo adoptfeffuSpaffil»|a surest means of procuring extinction. It seems a pity t**i_t Dominion, tho natural _____»_.jPrfn__r** which havo raised it to such ence, in spite of questionable l«_S3Hffjß_tion, should over com© to be _oa___iifJl_H€ upon by intending settlers as. to bs> avoided. This, according remarks made by our recent (k_tfl___raM»j! visitor would appear to bo the aSr^fsHET A. HOPE BLA^JSB*