ANOTHER PHASE OF THE LAND QUESTION.

Mount Ida Chronicle, Volume XI, Issue 607, 21 May 1881, Page 3

ANOTHER PHASE OF THE LAND QUESTION.

(To the Editor of'the Mount Ida. Choniclej * Linnburn, May 16, 18S1. ' Sir, —Having seen a letter in your paper dated May 7th signed " Robert M;-' Turnbull," in which you are accused of setting class against 'class, I should like to say a few words on that subject: Now, Sir, it appears to me to be the interests;of all classes, 'if they desire to make their homes in this country, to combine . and set. themselves against this powerful and highly favored' class, of which Mr Turubull is so active a member—seeing that, they are the most determined opponents of settlementin any form, notwithstanding all the palaver and rigmarole about the large and important .question of pastoral settlement contained in the : letter, above referred to. Now for a fewfacts in proof of what I have stated, and to show the encouragement given to people to settle in this country !—Early in the year 1864 I; purchased the house where I now live. Finding the'land good and the climate favorable, I applied; to the squatters for permission,to make a garden and paddock, but was told that nothing of the kind would be allowed, \and that, in fact, I had no right to live there, although I had just paid £3OO for my house. I then applied to' the Government, and after two years delay, I was allowed to occupy 50 acres on which I made many substantial and permament improvements. As the* business at my house fell off, owing to the traffic leaving the road, I applied for more land, and was again Opposed by *ll the infiuence the squatter could bring to bear, so there was another delay of six years, when I was allowed to purchase 200 acres. By this time the traffic had nearly ceased. It was now stopped altogether, so that, having no market, the small quantity of land I now hold is insufficient to support my family in a . proper manner, and my homestead is rendered unsaleable* because all the land for many miles around is held by the squatters. Now, Sir, I do not want one acre of land, but I do want some portion of the money I have expended in improvements during the last seventeen years, so that I can shift my family to some other country where I may be able to obtain food and clothing for my children which is denied them here. I am, &c., : Samuel Harhan.