KIRITEHERE ROADS: A.E.L.’S FINAL RETORT.

Kawhia Settler and Raglan Advertiser, Volume IV, Issue 353, 13 March 1908, Page 3

KIRITEHERE ROADS: A.E.L.’S FINAL RETORT.

(to the editor.) Sir,—My first letter was an attempt to show that I know, or should knew, something of’ho matter under discussion, and to justify Mr Robinson in as fur as be used my name. My second an account of what was said and to show there was no malice behind it, and this—really if I leave out personalities, and now I have worked off some of my steam I um nob inclined to indulge in them—l am surprised to find how little is left for me to touch cn that is worth wbih. With regard to Mr Burd 1 bold no brief for him, nor do I think Mr Burd would thank me if I attempted bis defence without his authority. I think however, on general ground that no one is in a position to give an absolute opinion on bis work without a very intimate knowledge of the limitations, inand conditions, financial and other, under which he worked. Always I prefer to trust to an expert, especially when he has a long record of good work to bis credit rather than a novice. In spite a very general belief to the contrary the bush farmer is not a road engineer. The passengers on uno of the steamers running here might severely criticise the way a captain handled his boat, and apparently make out a case Against him—but knowing the officer and something of bis record I should still pin my faith to the expert—and that is the case with the disinterested public with regard to Mr Burd. Some of the remarks in Mr Gregg’s letter

strike me as being hardly consistent with the character I have bad o* that gentleman. He dwells, I chink, rather too persistently on the hardship of a Battler’s work, and dubs the lift slavery. Ikn w a good many settlers and have put the question to them : Is that the way you regard your life ? Never a one answered yes. Many will tell you that the early work is hard and rough, and that they sometimes have to put up with physical discomforts and occasional privations, but that is not all the life. To the man physically fit, young, (or young in heart as he should be to tackle the busb) and, what is equally important, mentally fit and capable, it is the freeest, happiest and healthiest life under the sun. I say this positively from my own experience and what 1 know of my contemporaries—of course I Speak of the true settlers, not the man whose idea of life iat<> be within easy reach of a lunch counter The capi tai involved is not necessarily large to start with, and it is free from competitive and business worries; instead of being a slave ho is absolute master of his own actions and can control Others. “Reward sweetens toil” and who so certain of reward as the settler of the back blocks, who knows bis business and finds his life-work on his land. The wave of civilisation that follows the track of the pioneer brings him profit, increase in values, and Btablishes his position. Help comes crowding to him from all quarters—the growing population help, the Government lends a band when .need ex ists, Nature fights for him, and Science ever point out ways to new and wonderful possibilities. To listen to Mr Gregg, one wonldj think the bush settler was the only class in the community who had to work and endure hardships. Compare for one minute the position of a settler with that of a class of whom I lately had the honour to be one, and to some extent am still connected with—the flaxmillers of New Zealand. Think of the way the master millers have had to fight this past year, and rbe worry of itall—their uphill, hopeloss struggle only to result in many cases in wei nigh total loss of capital, the break up of homes, and a fresh start probably to help make roads to settler’s homesteads. I’ve not yet beard a squeal from a miller unless you choose to call thia oue —and it is not. There are thousands of others who work under . conditions that compared with the settlers —but I’ll not labour the point. The fact is there is something of the Ipoi't child amongst n. faw of present day settlers, and with Mr Gregg they indulge in a kind of pessimism that 1 think is afier all sa’.d not more than superficial; it is ratbea an attitude of mind that has been largely fostered by politicians to be well worked about

election time—it is partly “business”. One rather curious matter has been brought out during this discussion—the unanimity with Crown Land ten ante protest against the idea obtaining ground, that they gain anything by ’ -bei n g successful at iheballpt, for they state they Lave paid, and very fully paid, for their holdings. This is seen in the lectors and was much insisted on at the County Council meeting I attended. I don’t propose to argue the point, but jus I, note its singularity. When Undo Kcmua uuuouuccd from

I the pulpit that he had lost a chicken that hung overnight at his backdoor, the male portion of hig congregation rose as one man to prove their inno-cence-each won prepared to swear he “did’ot know it was there.” Other things beside history repeat themselves. My letter is getting overlong although I have left much unsaid. In one matter I certainly agree with Mr Boss, (bat farmers should combine and vote, and subject to Mr Massey’s approval, if Mr Ross will nominate me, I’ll—but that is another story.—Yours, etc., A. E. LANGLEY. *For the latest see an article headed “ An Important Discovery ” in thie issue.