THE LAND IN DANGER.

Evening Star, Issue 4101, 19 April 1876, Page 2

THE LAND IN DANGER.

To the Editor .

Sir, —It appears that your note of warning in regard to the probable sale of large blocks of land was not sounded a day too soon. In fact the worse than lame apology set forth by your morning contemporary the ‘Daily Times’ as an excuse for the sale of pastoral lands places suspicion beyond the sphere of mere conjecture. It may be taken as a matter of certainty that the policy has been not only suggested but determined upon. Such being the case, I can scarcely write my opinions in language sufficiently moderate to entitle them to a place in your columns ; but I agree with you that if there was anything wanting to break down the faith of the people in the professions of those self-styled “ supporters of Provincialism, ” it is thin now almost certain determination to sacrifice the people’s patrimony to the monied classes. Where is now all the tail-talk of preserving the land until the present leases fall in, and then cutting up the runs into mailer leaseholds ? Where are now all the visions of the immensely increased rentals that were to result from a Provincial policy; the pictures emblazoned with the title of “the land to be preserved for the people and the people to be settled on the land?’* What did these deceitful phrases mean in the mouths of the Turnbull, Webster, and Reid combination? Why sir, to me it appears that they simply meant this. Gull public till we get into power and then we will commit the Province to a policy, the outcome of which must be the sale of our pastoral estate to us. and our friends, the monied pastoral tenants. On the plea of carrying out public works, we will engage in a Waireka Valley line, an Awamoko line, an Orepuki line, an Otantan line, and a Mosgiel line, and once the Province is committed to them they must be paid for. The Province, not being allowed to borrow money, the people’s patrimony must go, and when the question is asked who is to blame—the * Daily Times ’ answers “ Not the Executive but the Provincial Council.” I ask, who led the Council ? who conunaJided the majority that enabled the present Executive or rather I should say clique, to get into power? who, but the members who were interested in this lines. Has his hj onor not had for the last three years an Executive according to his own mind, and bis old policy of getting rid of the land as fast as possthmia again being forced on the Province. ‘.Th® answer I take it to the question of Wl\o ought to be held responsible for the present position of affairs ongbt to be His Honor, and the “contracting interest or clique ” and the several lines referred to represented by Dr Webster, Messrs Turnbull, Daniels, and most inexcusable of all, Mr Donald Reid. How are the mighty fallen! Donald, Donald, little did I think you would so easily become a victim to “evil communications,” although I confess I trembled and was sorely .grieved when I saw you join such treacherous companions. We are asked will the people allow our land to be taken to benefit the impecunious Provinces, but methiuks there ore better grounds for asking will our people tolerate being robbed of their property by a thimblerig process for the aggrandisement of a ring composed of representatives of certain districts that derive a share in the benefits, the representatives of a-powerful contracting interest and representatives of the monied and pastoral interest ? If such a foul wrong to the people as is supposed to be in contemplation be carried out dnd tolerated, then, I say, perish the Provincial form of Government. I have great fears that the Province will get but scant justice at the hands of the Assembly ; but I would rather fight an enemy, even if I got thrashed with scorpions, than be deceived and flayed alive by a pretended friend. Oh, that the people would listen to the oft-repeated advice, “By their works ye shall x know them,” and judge accordingly, instead of being content to be misled by the claptrap of men who have so often deceived them.—l am, &c., * P&ODOOfcAT. , Clutha* April 17. '