ROAD-MAKING IN THE BACK BLOCKS.

King Country Chronicle, Volume V, Issue 371, 21 June 1911, Page 3

ROAD-MAKING IN THE BACK BLOCKS.

To The Editor. Sir, — Permit me space in your paper to place before your readers the manner in which we settlers are treated in the Rahuwera Block, in regard to prices for co-operative road contracts. Heretofore we were under Mr control. He is a practical, fair-minded man, who always looked to see full value for his money, but who didn't object to a competent man, who understood his work and toiled long hours, getting a fair day's pay. Just now the order of things has changed. A new Engineer, who has never taken the trouble to come and see for himself all the difficulties and conditions under which we work, has been appointed to take chage, and the first thing he does is to bring the prices down. The settlers in the above block have been loaded to the tune of ten shillings per acre for reading, and the money has been handed over to the Public Works Department for expenditure. But this new pilot wants a little to go a long way. I cannot understand the Government in allowing such treatment to be dealt out to settlers on State holdings. If they earned a decent wage, it would be all the more to spend on their farms and thereby increase the national wealth. It's real good play for the Opposition party, and if this treatment is continued it will be a step in the right direction to make every settler and working man in the district throw in their lot with Mr Massey's party. 'lt's about up to the settlers in this Block to see that they get justice, and fai,r treatment, and as we don't happen to be pitiful slaves. we're going to have our say. Hoping you will help us to do so, ard thanking you in anticipation.^—l am, etc., IMPROVED FARM SETTLER.