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New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 10433, 4 May 1897, Page 5

One of the Hitlers in the Tanner settlement (nearly all Canterbury men) at Purangi, Taranaki, writes to the Christohurch papers stating that after a trial of two and a-half years, during which he has been working hard, living hard, and roughing it generally, he is poorer than when he went to the place. It's a grand thing (he writes) to plica people on the land, but it) is only those who go on it and do the pioneer work who know what it really means. The forfeited sections in the district have been reduced 33 per cent., and yet no one will take them up, while we who are endeavouring to make settlers can get no reduction; and Mr. John McKeotia declines to assist us, and regret* that we should think of giving up our aeotions after all the money the Government has spent in opening up the district." After enumerating broken promises, the writer states that on the co-operative works they could not make more than 5s per day, while flour costs 18s per 1001b and outmeal 6s 3d per 251b, The settlers have to live mostly on potatoee and wild. pigs. The writer says he has changed some of his views on labour question* His experience baa convinced him that the working. men , want saving from themselves; still there is a leaven,, of good amongst them. He believes " there is .more genuine sympathy for the oaue* of the worken among those who are not in the ranke.of labour, than, there is; amongst the worker ■> 6 themaelvee.. ..Ofiwhich of ,our labour member* oeo, their most enthusiastic friends say that self has not been placed firslj" . / . v.-" Wr;' n'7-> jJZ-i o•••'Hv'i''-M!»<"•>£! I'