labour Members and land Rents.
TO THE EDITOIJ
Sir, — The first session of our new Parliament has ]U3t closed. It would be interesting to know the verdict of the people upon it, as compared with past Parliaments. There is one point we shall be all agreed upon — namely, that they have been very (mindful of themselves. They commenced by raising Ministers' salaries all round, and finished by an extra dole of dSiO to members. They did not think it necessary to consult the people about taking this extra money. I presume this is according to socialistic principles. But when a measure is brought m to give a- little relief to Crown tenants, our Labour members are up in arms! Settlers are well off, say they, and they are not asking and do not need any relief. How do these gentlemen know the position of country settlers? Their whole attention is taken up in pandering to the working men. in towns. AndA what are 90 per cent, of our settlers but working men, who toil longer hours each day than those ihat are hedged around with so mucbr .legislation. I venture to say that there are hundreds of men upon the land who have the greatest difficulty to make ends meet, because rents are estimated upon what can be got from land under the most favourable circumstances, and in. the case of these land for settlement estates, they are bought at the minimum price, and loaded foi roads and other reserves, which make the rents prohibitive. When one considers the action of those socalled Labour* members towards struggling settlers, it causes us to look up our dictionaries to see what the meaning of the word "socialism" is. It does not mean that we are to help on.s section of the community and make the others serfs. I hope all your country readers noted the threat held out to the unfortunate Pornahaka- settlers by the Premier if they dared to bring their complaint again to Parliament. < Thave been glad to notice that they have dared. It will be a cruel injustice if no relief is afforded them. In conclusion, Sir, I think the present Parliament is no improvement on its predecessors. — I am, etc., SETTLER Waihcmo, October 29.
labour Members and land Rents.
Otago Witness, Issue 2433, 31 October 1900, Page 30
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