EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES.

Evening Star, Issue 8808, 25 April 1892, Page 3

EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES.

TO THK EDITOB. Sib,—"Land Fad" quotes the following from Mr Allen's speech:-«' Upon the floor of our common schools the sons of rich and poor alike mix. I say they have there equal opportunities, and it depends then upon the child or the young man himself, upon his energies and abilities, whether he will rise to tho top of the tree or whether he shall not." "Land Fad" denies the equality of opportunity, and proceeds to present two pictures—showing on the one hand the child of the rioh man gliding sweetly on to success, and on the other as oertainly the child of the poor falling into misery—first as an errand boy, thea as an apprentice, sharing his earnings with his poorer brothers and sisters, then as a fallfledged mechanic, then loßing his situation, then marrying, and, having a numerous family, Broke into "a dull, hopeless state, from whioh he Will never in this life emerge." That's "Land Fad's" picture. Now, I shall give an experience (and leave the people to judge) of a lad who went to the Bame sohool with James Allen, who afterwards began life aB an errand boyi next as an apprentice (giving hia wages to help bis family), of his advance to a tradesman, of his losing his situation and takirg whatever work came to hand—had a whole year's bush work, 5s per day and find hia own " tucker"—of his taking other work, not eight hours a day" but often Bixteen hours, of his marrying and having a numerous family. But there tho parallel ends. He did not sink into misery, but kept on and did well. He occupied several public positions and was finally eleoted to Parliament. He has sat for half a dozen sessions, and that person happens to be the writer of this letter.—l am, etc., _„ Dnnedin, April 25,