THE HAPPY BACKBLOCKS SETTLER.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 864, 9 July 1910, Page 10

THE HAPPY BACKBLOCKS SETTLER.

The backbloeks settler has been getting too much sympathy, according to tlio Hon. J. Barr (Canterbury). "The backbloeks' settler," said Mr. Barr, in tho Council yesterday, "is a very com-fortably-off- man. ' (A- voice : No.)- -Ho certainly can't get to the theatre every other night, and. that is a good thing ■ for him probably. He' can't go-.every day to races, and that is also a very good thing .'for him. Ho has plenty of fresh air and fresh milk—not so thin as we find it' in Wellington." Such a man, Mr. Barr declared; was in a good position because ho had an assured living, while there were hundreds in the city who were not in that position. Tho only anxiety of the backblocks settler was to. make more than an assured'living, and very often ho was <?a!y waiting for tbo value of his land to be enhanced by improvements of communication to sell'out-"at a-profit' and get "away froiii f/!io backbloeks. "The agitation for relief of tlio backblocks settler," Mr. Barr declared, "is altogether overdone." This opinion Was received with mingled expressions' of approval and dissent.

POST AND TELEGRAPH BILL. The Post and -Telegraph Act Amend-' 1 ment Bill introduced last night provides that the Secretary of the Department is to take the place, of tho Superintendent of Electric . Lines. Provision -is made for'an increase in the salary, of tho assistant secretary to the amount of £50, making the jninimum salary £750,' and the maximum salary £900, with one annual increment of £100, and one of £50. A Chief Telegraph Engineer is to. bo appointed at a salary of £700 £800, the increase., from minimum to' be in two annual increments of £50.