ORIGINAL CORRESPONDENCE

Dunstan Times, Issue 346, 11 December 1868, Page 3

ORIGINAL CORRESPONDENCE

We do not identify ourselves with the opinions that may bo expressed by our correspondents. THE LAND QUESTION. (TO TIIF. EDITOK OF TUB DCXSTAN TIMES.) Sir, —I would like to know if the people of Otago are to occupy th waste lan sof the Crown with their cattle and themselves, or are we to raise up an aristocracy similar to the oil country, and have Icr s of the manor, lan lords an I tenants, masters and servants ? Tne time has arrived when every thinking man's duty is to take an interest in politics, and, before the Crown Lands are alienate ■, see that they are parted with in such a manner, as to give the pioneers of gold-mining an opportunity of making a home for hiinse f, instad of allowing the aristocrat, which lie is fast verging to in Otago. Depend upon it if such is done, which surely will be if the people do not raise up their voices against it, we will be neglecting our duty. I .un ouj of the earliest settlers of the Cromwell district, and have very carefully watched the rise and progress of our town and district, and I have come to the conclusion that any man who intends to make this istriet his future home should be u and ':oing. I cannot see what right the agent of any firm in the old or any other worl , where capital is of less value than here, shoul I be allowed to occupy our country, make our laws, and administer them. I did not come here to be a servant. I thought when I left my friends and home for the new world, I should find something new. But the present state of things is this, we have not one foot of commonage in the Cromwell District, the cattle are running out at the mercy and generosity of the Pastoral Less e. lam told the sqatter rives the cattle to the Township, and the Police summons the owners for allowing them to trespass. Now, Mr. Editor, which is to give way. This sort of thing will not do, the squatter has been very forbearing and very generous, but 1 t us know at once, if he is to be a " little king," if so, the sooner we give way the better.

Yon talk of immigration. I would he very sorry to send for any friends from the old country ui ler existing circumstances ; give us the land, then, we can write for our friends and say, well, if you cannot do any thing hotter, you can make a home for yourself, and produce tho necessaries of life in Otago. It lias often occurred to me that the tine has now arrived when tho squatters should give way to population as they say in their big speeches, but it is my opinion they never mean doing so till compelled. I am, &c. OLD RESIDENT. Cromwell, loth Nov,, 1868.