THE FOUNDATION OF THE COLONY AND THE EARLY SETTLERS.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 4460, 6 July 1875, Page 2

THE FOUNDATION OF THE COLONY AND THE EARLY SETTLERS.

♦ TO THE EDITOR OP THE SEW ZEALAND TIMES. Sir,- -My attention has been recently arrested by a leading article in a local print, devoted to stigmatising the early settlers as beggars and paupers for having ventilated a just grievance, and requested suitable acknowledgment for valuable services rendered during the perilous years of implanting the first settlements in New Zealand. Almost in the same breath, the noble editor expresses his regard and respect for the same class. Such sentiments aro really deserving of record, and if he will only aim at improvement we will subscribe sufficient funds to have bis autograph artistically engrossed on a leather medal, and present him with a box of llolloway's wonderful purifying vegotablc pills, as recompense for the valuable services he has rendered his fellow colonists. His criticism of the champions, as he terms them, might possibly be dictated either by strong patty feeling or political spite; but such a flagrant, unmitigated insult to a large number of deserving, respectable colonists, as contained in the wording of that article, has seldom appeared before the public, and deserves censure from, all impartial readers. I have often heard there is but one step from the sublime to the ridiculous, and without any effort that editor has evidently managed it. The idea of such a writer stating he knows well what they went through; why ho might just as well assert, when shown the scars on a fractured limb, that ho realised the intense pain of the sufferer. Now, had that paper taken this matter in hand impartially and adduced even one sound argument against the reasonable claim preferred, I could have respected the protest, but such a sweeping, ungenerous denunciation of claims with which he can never have had the least experience, readily proclaims the stupidity of such a writer, and savors very much of a dog In the manger, who may not have been bad of his sort, but the sort had degenerated : and I am very thankful the tribunal on whom tho settlors roly for simple justice is composed of men of a very different stamp, gentlemen who can realise and appreciate the spirit which enabled those sturdy pioneers to do even what that editor admits they accomplished—tlie heroic work of conquering a wilderness to lay the foundation of a great colony. Yes, measure those settlers by any standard, thoy will be found the backbone of the various settlements, upright, trustworthy, and, like the rough diamond, of far more Intrinsic value than tho better-looking stone although set off with the favorite "Brummagem" notoriety. It would be far more creditable and straightforward

for such writers, instead of snubbing these claims or vulgarly abusing those whose qualities they profess to admire, to advocate a fair impartial hearing before a properly constituted court, and not rashly prejudge what it appears they are not capable of estimating-, i.e., the true value of the services rendered. In the present day thousands of acres are given away to the immigrants constantly arriving, and it seems so unjust, and more than mean, not to suitably recognise the valuable services every one readily admits were performed by these applicants. As one born in the country, I fearlessly assert, that if they are ignored such a narrow-minded policy can never prosper, and I can safely predict that a day will come when the voice of their descendants will make itself heard and respected. That editor next states they all had opportunities of fortune far superior to those coming later. He ought to enumerate them ; it strikes mo very forcibly that had he been among them at that period, with a rising family and a light pocket, his energy would have been sufficiently taxed to keep starvation away. For every one he names who reaped the reward of their enterprise, I will name three who are comparatively poor. He then adds insult to injury, saying if they accepted grants of land it would be accompanied with the loss of all respect from their fellow-colonists. It has never been disputed how those early settlers bore the heat and burden of the day, severed frem nearly every attachment natural to social life. To acquire a comfortable future for their families, they undertook the heavy task of forming new settlements thousands of miles from their fatherland in a latitude of which very little was known, and proof is not wanting to testify how utterly fallacious those hopes in most instances proved. When they first landed in New Zealand, and by dint of perseverance secured something of a dwelling, it was impossible to transport a family any distance back, and they could not be expected to open up country miles from their primitive habitations, in the face of hostile tribes; but they were undoubtedly the sappers and miners for"tljg_ present army of colonists, who are now reaping vhelißbenefits of that advanced guard. It is with admira- ' tion for their dauntless spirit, which is not yet obsolete, I repudiate the vile charge of their being cither paupers or beggars. They are men who have encountered successive difficulties —every conceivable, hardship—and only demand a fair recompense, and I have sufficient faith in our representatives to feel no doubt if their claims are properly represented, full justice from their appreciative fellow-settlers will be heartily accorded. Trusting you will kindly find space for this vindication, —I am, &c, New Zealandek. Marlborough, June 24.