THE LAND BILL

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1890, 27 October 1913, Page 11

THE LAND BILL

Sir, —With your permission for a little of your valuable space, I would wish to give our Prime Minister a right royal pat on the back for the manner in which ho has stuck to the Laud Bill. He haß fought for tlmt Bill aa keenly as our cood old forefathors fought for the Motherland in the days of old-. I hope more ablo pens than mino i will ho forthcoming to sound his praises for the manly way that he lias stood by the fanners, tho backbone of the Dominion —for surely that 5s what they are. On, dear, to hear, or rather read, tho disffUsrting nonsense of somo of those members too sit on tho Opposition side of the House and call themselves leaseholders, but whom I think most fanners would dub as idlers of the Dominion. One would almost imagine in reading their nonsense that tho farmers were a set of thieves or sooundrcls, and whatever they got. bo it muoh or little, it was too good for them. I happen to be a farmer, and I would like to ask those honourable members who fought so strenuously against the. unfortunate farmer where they would be if it were not for those unfortunate tillers of the soil. I fear thay would have to look farther afield' to live, as at present, by the aid of their tongues. For" let me tell them that without the farmer they could not live. I feel sure there are many like, myself who would be gratified to see some of those fat, easy-going fellows out. in the back-bloeks trying to earn a livelihood out .of somo Government God-forsaken country, for that is surely what those members should have. Then tliey would realise what it is that makes things, so that they cpji livo at the expense of others. By the time thev had put in twelve months they would not only be agreeablo to give the farmer the freehold, of his land, but in future tlipy would givo ham what he asked for,, and they would! have learned to appreciate tho man wiio keeps things going, so that they may. retain their fat billets. /Without the farmer all things would ultimately perish,, or nearly so, and any farmer who assists such anti-freeholders to get into power deserves to be exiled to Siboria. Lot anv of thoso honourable members look up last week s issue of the Auckland "Weekly Nows,' and. seo what tho farmers in old Ireland aro having dono for them, and let- us one and all who arc-on tho land hope tho dav is not far distant when we hero wiil have as nvueli done for us.' J.hanking you in anticipation,—l October 20, 1913.