THE LINCOLNSHIRE FARMERS.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2138, 28 January 1880, Page 2

THE LINCOLNSHIRE FARMERS.

[to THE EDITOR.] Sir, —Recently, in a paper circulating in this district (Avliotbcr your oavii or another I cannot remember), it Avas suggested that on their arrival hero no time should be lost in taking the two gentlemen representing the Lincolnshire Farmers’ Association into tlio country, and showing them the growing crops, Avith a view, doubtless, to make them belioA-c that this season’s products may be considered a fair specimen of the average. May I ask “ Would sneb a course be honest ? ” “ Would it be doing Avitii others as avc Avould that they should do unto us,” to take them into Helds of corn, and show them beaAw crops, the like of which have not been seen for years, and to scud them home with knowledge thus acquired as a specimen of the grain gniAving qualities of our district? I say emphatically No; it Avould lie knuA-ish in the extreme. The suggestion to show the deputation the growing crops is obviously a cruel scheme, on the part of large freeholders, avlio are, by the Member for Timarn, designated “ shoddy aristocracy,” and by Sir George Grey, avlio certainly sees nothing aristocratic about them, “ land sharks,” to sell their acres, some of Avbieh they Avisli they bad never seen. The suggestion is obviously fraught Avith falsehood and Avaut of feeling for our countrymen. It is cruel in the extreme, and not only so, but such a proposition is calculated to Avork diametrically against the colony’s best interests, inasmuch us that the deputation believing the cunningly devised statements of untruthful moil and unprincipled journalists, Avhosc “ seats” are sometimes kept at the expense of truth and honor, may go to the Home country Avith the most glowing accounts of our island, and induce their friends to emigrate on the strength of such reports, Avbieh may—-

and shall-—engender a vast amount of future dissatisfaction ; just as in the case of some emigrants who are allured from their happy homes and severed from their kindred by the vile influence of Sir Julius Vogel and his army of satellites, who go about the British Isles disseminating falsehood. To allow the deputation to form an estimate by looking upon this season's crops would mean ruin to the colony, and the farmers too ; for, should they make up their minds to come to our shores, they would, in all probability, find next season that they had been grossly deceived. This would inevitably generate so great an amount of indignation that they would advise their relations and friends to turn a deaf ear to all arguments in favor of New Zealand henceforth, world without end. Let these gentlemen be received here as they should be, and may all who have the colony’s interests at heart, and who are blessed with any degree of right feeling, afford as much honest, straightforward information as they can. Let the honest, independent press too (wc cannot expect it of a journal with only one side) show them the district in its proper light, sticking at nothing that is really true and faithful. This done, we can have nothing to fear. The deputies may go with our best wishes to the old country and render their account, and if they should feel disposed to return, with their friends, and settle in our midst, they may feel assured that they will meet with a hearty welcome. —f am, &<• ‘ J. (’. lIKID.