IRRIGATION.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XCIX, Issue 11537, 25 March 1898, Page 3

IRRIGATION.

TO THE EDITOR, Sir, —I can’t allow the letter of “ Colonist ” to go by without any remark. It may mislead a few to oppose irrigation. What is the first work of a colonist ? To open up the country by “ railways, road, bridges, &c,” so that farming may be possible. What is the use of a “town” with no “ country ” behind it ? Nothing. To whom do the shops and factories owe their existence but to the farmers. “Colonist” would seem to be one who acts “ not through principle, but through his pocket,” and, having got a “bee in his bonnet ” with regard to the incidence of taxiation and irrigation proposals, proceeds to vent his spleenon“our friends the farmers,” as if they were pretty closely allied to “ Friend Reynard the fox.” Have “ our fi’iends the farmers ” had so large a share of public moneys ? If so, there would naturally be general prosperity and plenty of work. Is this the case ? No! but a big unemployed difficulty in front, which is to be tided over by work at the Springfield end of the Midland railway and other means, such as subscriptions from “ our friends the townsmen !” Why not irrigate and provide the work regularly all through the year on the lands of the farmers ? If this in done, as “ Hope ” to-day well says, “ the land can well stand the few pence per acre water rate,” and the towns will flourish, too.—l am, &c.,

TRUE COLONIST,