FACTS WANTED.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXI, Issue 50, 13 October 1911, Page 5

FACTS WANTED.

(To the Editor “Stratford Evening Post.”) Sir,—As an old settler in this district I ask your indulgence to comment on the address delivered in the Town Hall on Wednesday evening by Mr W. T. Mills. Periodically we have been treated to the opinions of overseas importations, said opinions in many cases being extremely unreliable and given without a due knowledge of local conditions and a proper appreciation of facts. Mr Mills eyas good enough to flatter us by saying that ho understood this district was the richest in New Zealand, and then makes the dismal prognastication that history points to the people of the district becoming the poorest. Mr Mills need, not worry himself, for this district will be peopled with prosperous settlers long after he has passed from his Socialistic labours on this earth, and such prosperity will not be brought about by the propaganda of Socialism. Mr Mills says the children of the present farmers rise early, work hard, and go to bed late. That the children rise early is true, but they are certainly not worked over hard, as their healthy, .appearance will testify. As for going to bed late, if they do so it is. from choice. We have had quite enough of irresponsible people libelling the settlers of this district by alleging overwork of the children, and we certainly do not want the libel repeated by Yankee Socialists. There are other points in Mr Mills’s address that might bo sharply criticised, but I will content myself by saying in conclusion that I hope the next time he undertakes to tell us about our own district he will talk facts not nonsense.—l am, gIiC OLD SETTLER. Stratford, 12th October, 1911.