LEASEHOLD OR FREEHOLD.

Greymouth Evening Star, 6 December 1911, Page 8

LEASEHOLD OR FREEHOLD.

[TO THK EDITOR. I

(Published by arrangement)

Sir,y-During the course of Mr Michel’s address at Otira last Saturday evening, he n ade.i;a statement to the effect that he was going to get a three to one majority of the miners of Waiuta. which is absohtelyj incorrect. It may be accepted that the nuners of Waiuta are no different (o the ipinors of any other part of the Southern Hemisphere, and under no circnmstlinces will the miners accept the instruction of their bosses as to who shall be a ’fit and proper person to represent them fin Parliament. Should they 71 o so it only goes to prove that their political education has been sadly neglected and I, as a miner, have yet to learn that such i.-, the case. The seventh of the month v ill. -I hope, still give the confidence 1 have -in my own fellows, that they will not on this occasion be led by the puppets i f tht) Consolidated Company, but I am sure tyill stand for the principles of that ora ml, old father of Democracy, who laid down an everlasting principle, namely, Ihc land tenure on the leasehold principle, IF the miners stick to the principles laid down by their leaders they wiU repudiate the much-boasted of a freejjiold juggler, and will also repudiate the statements made by Mr Michel at Ctiva; I have no hesitation in saying ins.eadyif a three to one majority in favour rf the; freehold, the miners will reverse the iquch-boasted statement in favour of a true, Democracy. 1 am, etc-.. v A DIGGER. Oliva, December sth, 1911. --