CORRESPONDENCE.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 2044, 23 January 1889, Page 2

CORRESPONDENCE.

« , We do not hold ourselves responsible for theopinions expressed by our correspondents. A. COUNTRY SBTTLER'3 COMPLAINT TO THE EDITOR. £iR; — Will you permit me through yoor columna to aay a few words on a matter o? common interest to country people | A traveller called at my house to-day and after the u>u»l inquiry for work came the as u&ual request for food. The man's look and get-up made mo think him I I an artisan, to I said during bin meal "You are not' a farm hand ? ' •• Vps," was the reply, " I cam plough, and stack and thcur." "Ah, and how long have you been lv £he colonj?" " A good'ish bit, , seven or eight years," was the answer. Now, Mr Editor, I ask you as I did this man, is it not a sbame that such should beg their bread ? We read how m older countries the law had to put down atuHy beggars or " Boruers ' as they were called, and I do not hesitate to apply that name to men who having been m work, eithei have not the means or will not apply their means toward sustaining themselves when on the march. Are wages low, and provisions high? Let workers us » the power they undoubtedly possess to remove taxation from every article of food and clothing ; then they may at least get greater value for the same money. Government by taxation either increase or decrease the value of wages, ani I ask the formers to put an end to this begging nuisance by using the disagreeable word "No," excepting where it would bo indeed charity to give, and cutely the bulk of the men :to whom we give cannot look on themselves as fit objects of pity. There is an old precept which bids us look not only on our own things but likewise on those of others ; but putting this aside, the interests of labor must ever involve the interest of the farmer. Then let them give their help to tha party which offers to labor the best means of employing itse}f. By multiplying homes we multiply the pledges of our peace and prosperity, for the more there are who have even a little ef their own to work upon, the fewer will there be to carry the swag. By granting space for the above you will much oblige, lam, etc., A Somewhat Anosy Eousehoideb.