CORRESPONDENCE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2229, 5 November 1907, Page 2

CORRESPONDENCE.

[Correspondence on public matters is welcomed at all times, but it must be distinctly understood- that this journal is in no way associated with tlio opinions of its correspondents.]

THE CHIEF JUSTICE AND THE TARANAKI FARMERS. [To the Editor.] Sir,—l was not surprised that..among your readers some should differ from my views of what is known as “.child slavery” in laramaki. IJrac the cudgels should be taken up by “One who was -there” was also among tlio possibilities that I had an•ticTpated. The attempt to libel . a respectable and deserving community is-an. outcome of that pernicious movement which has for its object tlie setting of class against clasK-ytof town against country. The uninitiated look upon the farmer as a pampered Sybarite, and on farm work as next of kin to a picnic, but when one of this class drifts into the country, and is taught the weight of the farmer’s burden, lie flics quickly back to the town with malignant idea 3 about wliat he calls “slavery. The town party-would handicap-and .hamper tlio farmer, while com planning of the price of bread; would throwstones at the dairyman while objecting to tlie price of his blitter. In the Kingdom of tlio Blind the most sightless man i-s lie who lops off tlio branch on which -lie is perched. Your correspondent omits any reference to tlio report of tho Chief Inspector of Schools for Taranaki; there is a method in the omission. Ho makes tlio surprising statement that boys and girls rise early, milk-the cows, have their breakfast, and then go to school; also thit at night they tumble into bed. Who doubts it? 'But does that fact prove that those children are injured physically or that their mental powers are dwarfed? Does it show that Taranaki parents are inhuman ? Of course there may be cases of individual cruelty, but in all my experience I never met with one. Your correspondent objects to my method of reasoning on certain ■assumptions, but lie does not-attempt to show that my assumptions are groundless. Why, then, question tlie methods ? For years I have heard of Sir Robert Stout as a brilliant lawyer, an able statesman, and, latterly, as one of tlio overworked occupants of our judicial bench. -Throughout a long and. close connection with Taranaki I never heard of his devoting any time to the inspection of tlie Taranaki back-blocks, and I repent that I should be surprised to hear that he had done so. Of the editor of the Post 1 speak from personal acquaintance, which also justifies my assumption. If against this I place ,my own experience I trust that I will not be charged with egotism. AVI ion aiming at the truth one must not waste time on modesty. 1 have •a life-long experience of New Zealand. In the bad old times 1 was _a hush farmer. For tho last 24 years my occupation has led me. into nearly every nook of the Dominion. The nature oi my business was such as to afford me special knowledge of the health and financial position of the people. I found the hardiest and best-developed young New Zealanders in Southland and in. much-mal-igned Taranaki. The most comfortable farmhouses are the homes of the so-called “child slaves.” In addition to my ordinary business I had a sido line as paid contributor to several journals, for which I had to furnish information on agricultuu.il and dairying matters. During the last few years of my sojourn the child slavery discussion was in progress, and I was carefully on tlie lookout for evidence, and-qu.it e prepared to use it fearlessly. AVitll such exjierience I heartily endorse the report of the School’lnspector,'and, on my own account, I pronounce the cluirge an unpardonable calumny. Oil the occasion of a recent visit to Alarl-borough, Sir Robert Stout pre- . sented to a Blenheim H-lgdli School girl a very handsome gold medal which she had won, in open competition with the schools of tlie whole English speaking world,, for the best essay oil Canada. This well-devel-oped girl had previously won a scholarship, and has recently unit ni-cil-iated ; her sister is in charge of a State school. Both girls were brought up on a dairy farm, where from childhood they had to do a considerable share in the milking of a large dairy herd. —I am, etc., D. O’SULLFVAN. Gisborne, Nov. 3.