NEW ZEALAND BLIGHT.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume III, Issue 28, 4 February 1868, Page 2

NEW ZEALAND BLIGHT.

To the Editor op the Nelson Evening Mail. Sir —ln your issue of Saturday I read a letter from an individual styling himself ' Uncle's Nephew,' and at once put him down as one of those discontented interfering people who do not know what they are writing about, and who would be considered a nmsance in any place except Nelson. He says he is too stupid to understand the learned and elaborate essay of Sir D. Monro, and I thoroughly believe him, but other people are not so obtuse as ' Uncle's Nephew.' Sir D. Monro's talents and public services are too well kuown and appreciated (else why was he knighted ?) to make any further comment necessary. 'Uncles's ifephew' totally ignores that good old saying ' to leave well alone,' but will interfere in other peoples'Jbusiness. He talks about' the cow being flush in milk,' meaning to throw a slur upon some of our pioneer settlers who have managed to get their pockets pretty well lined. Is it any b dy's fault but his own that he was not an early settler? He stigmatizes our monied men as pawnbrokers and Shylocks, forgetting that money, like any other commodity, has its market value, and every one has a right to make the most of his merchandise ; besides this money does not leave the place, but merely changes hands. He blames capitalists for not opening our natural resources, take coal for instance. But let him take into consideration the worry, trouble, and expense it would entail upon us in opening coalfields. Besides, some of our leading men pocket goodly sums in the shape of commission in importing coal from Australia, and, consequently, the public reap an indirect benefit. With regard to improving onr legislation, let him not forget the vigorous steps taken by our energetic Reform League, and when they have got enrolled under their standard gentlemen like Sir D. Monro and Mr Stafford, who need despair of success ? Certainly business is a little flat in Nelson just now, but when we get the Railway ' Uncle's Nephew' will see a difference, if he would only have a little patience. Yours, &c, MORPHECS. Nelson, February 3,1868.