SIR JOSEPH WARD’S VISIT.

Kawhia Settler and Raglan Advertiser, Volume IV, Issue 368, 3 July 1908, Page 2

SIR JOSEPH WARD’S VISIT.

(to the editor.) Sir, —Wo were led to believe Sir Joseph Ward whs coming to this district ou the 18th of JYiue. The Knwhia Town Board in conjuuctiou with the Cunnty Council prepared to meet h : m, but all are liable to err these two bodies did so. There are oth- r sections of this fledgling community, who were as important, if not more e , than the above public bodies. I refer to Ihe delegate* from the Farmers’ Union. I don’t for a moment think that an intended hardship was meant to our Union, but extreme want of consideration was evident ; each branch should bare been told what was to be done. To be successful we must work together, Many people were sent to voice tbe troubles of other people but bad no -tftance, as owing to the state of the tide Sir Joseph and party were detained at Oparau Ferry till a late hour, so that the Premier practically came and went in the middle of tbe night, leaving abrubtly when tbe steamer blew the last whistle. We the representatives of the people, only had time to ehake’hands and say “good night,” and on battling round to repre eent our troubles to some of Sir J. G.’s '

retainers got hold of his Secretary, and Messrs Greenslade, Jennings and M‘Cardle, who told us to write to tbe Government. Mr Jennings is upheld as the champion of tbe backblocks, and is pointed out by the others as our present M.P,, So be has now obtained a chance to prove his right to be called our champion, as he has been told that if he does not get to work promptly to get us tbe few paltry requirements asked, at.next election we must choose a parliamentary representative from among the working farmers and return him at the top of ths poll. We dont want party politics, but more consideration for the back blocks. All other sections of the community have been legislated for by the present administration, but tbe settlers have not had anything like tbe consideration such an important class deserve. We

are the producers of wealth from the soil. All wealth comas from tho soil; without settlers the Dominion would soon get hick to a state ofnon-produo-tion. To make the Dominion prosperous in the highest sense the producers want roids, bridges, railways and optional tenure, without oppressive taxation. If we allow the labour Unions to domineer over us we won’t get our share but will bo looked upon as beasts of burden to create wealth for those who have through our carelarsness usurped a power over the producers of this land that should belong to the producers. We must unite to gain our ends ; then instead of a Premier rushing through Kawbia in the middle of the night he will spend at least a day among us, giving due oonsidera - tion to our wants, and no doubt will grant the money to make roads and bridges. Sir Joseph said we must borrow more money to make these roads, bridges and railways. This is where the shoe pinches, and why ? Because tor several years the Government have been buying large estates and leasing them ; all crown land is disposed of on leasehold, with in some cases fright of purchase, whereas if all the laud settled was opened for settlement on a deferred payment cash basis, we could make our roads without further borrowing, as the pdjment for the land would provide the money, if spent under the County Council system, instead of the Government. All lands unsettled should ba given to the Counties to which they belong to settle and receive the payment. We should then be self cent >ined, each county doing its own work independant of Government, collecting its rates and land tax. By this means we could reducethe present waste of money in paying the present Government, as a much smaller Government would do. How many people here or anywhere else care one cent about Sir Joseph Ward’s visit. AU they want is a share of the borrowed millions, to get a road, ra !•

way or dome other necessary work. The whole truth exists in faw words : The working producers du not bms this Dominion, it is bossed by the labourites; we have ourselves to blame, Tho farmer would rather ba sat upon and treated as a common working bub look, than take the trouble to -tody polities and get a grasp of the truth Yours, etc., G. H. MACKENZIE.