WHAT OUR READERS THINK

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2484, 10 June 1915, Page 7

WHAT OUR READERS THINK

- c A REPLY TO "BACK-BLOCKER." J (To the Editor.) Sir,—Having bean a back-blocker for r the last .16 or 17 years, 1 cannot let 0 "Ba6k-block'6" letter go unchallenged. I am of the opinion that "Back-block" las 'never been a real back-block set- ] tier of this fair Dominion, or he would , not write as he has done. There are t no greater readers of our weekly papers than back-blockers. I will guarantee that the average back-blocker is better j read in the present war than his t c brother citizens, for.he has ample time to read all and sundry that come& to land, while his city brother has 6 heaps of other attractions to take up j bis time. The men as a rule that : occupy and live in -the back-blocks are mostly right loyal Britishers, otherwise ' they would be like : their city friend— ? live where life is more pleasant and associated with ordinary town luxuries. c Now, Mr. Editor, let "Back-block" T digest this: Who is the backbone and f sinew of this Dominion but the back- a blocker and his employees? Well might 1 "Back-blook" say they are good men, ? for they are generally to be found sec- !; orid to none when hardship arrives, ]• whether it be at the front or at home ® these are the boys that can stand it. G If our town cousins were asked to put ' up with one-tenth of the hardships with t which the back-blocks man has to con- a tend they would say: "Thif is hot stuff 1 5 lam off, boss." Then also,;let "Back- '' blocker" ask himself who is'produo G ing or helping to produce the food to i' keep our nation and soldiers in food if but the farmers and the back-blockers, i' and I doubt whether a good conscientious 1< farmer is not doing as much good at J home as he would if he enlisted and is let his property go back. Now, trust- g ing I have said sufficient to give "Back- C blocker" something else to think of be- n sides rushing into print,—l am, etc., E ■P. J. RYDER, is Otaki. L — ' j