OTHER PEOPLE’S IDEAS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 29 July 1939, Page 9

OTHER PEOPLE’S IDEAS

PIONEER & WAR SETTLERS (To the Editor) Sir,—ln an article written under the name of Mr Welch, the excellent work done by the early settlers under great difficulties is very rightly praised. I have the greatest admiration for the many fine qualities of these good people. May I tell another story? Two young mon who served in the same battery as I did during the war enlisted with the Main Body and served faithfully in Egypt, Gallipoli and Flanders. One became sergeant and the other lieutenant. They were discharged in early 1919 and each had quite a little capital, what with their original savings, their reserve pay and their gratuity. These men were encouraged to take up a dairy farm at £BO to £lOO per acre just across the other side of our beautiful ranges. After several years of really hard work they walked off with nothing. Meanwhile the man who had originally owned tiie farm —but I must not be bitter. You see, Sir, we still have the same breed but much depends upon the circumstances under which they work. — Let us guard against repeating this. — Yours, etc., E.G.C. Masterton, July 28.