ANOTHER LAND JOB.

Evening Star, Issue 3174, 23 April 1873, Page 3

ANOTHER LAND JOB.

To the Editor.

Sir. — I have just beard that it is proposed to sell the depasturing lands of this district, and as one of the oldest settlers hero, I raise my voice against it. The farmers, miners, storekeepers, and even working men are interested in having the privilege to depasture stock. It helps all classes of labor. Miners in this severe climate cannot work their claims in the winter’s frost, nor in the intense heat of summer. If they possess stock, the different operations required to keep it in good working order help to fill up the blank times. Farmers could not make both ends meet except fry keeping stock. Plenty of stuff would be wasted unless they have stock to feed, and any profit arising from this source may be looked upon as indirect gain al)soli|tely necessary to enable them to Carry on. ' For il ab ss in their direct busi : sjabqld happen’, they h*Y e still the stock to fall 'back upon. In this light it is a species of insurance. Crops may fail, fires may occur, what then can be done ? Sell some of the stock! Storekeepers ensure themselves against bad debts and other evils, by keeping stock. While they can supply their customers with meat of their own growing, they can afford a few inevitable losses. But if the time comes when meat shall cost as much as when a storekeeper buys drapery or boots for which he has to pay in cash, then good-bye to the year’s work pay. If the lands are sold this c'ass will have to leave. The proposal to sell the lands must have started with a few capitalists who wish to possess themselves of the entire district, and crush out every industry except snch as are slaves to them, and from which the profits flow into their pockets.—l am, k c., Louis Miller, Of Miller’s Flat, Wakatip District, and on behalf of the other settlers of the Flat. April 22.