The Exodus.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Issue 3866, 22 July 1891, Page 3

The Exodus.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE TIMES. Sib.—ln this age of Royal commissions it would be worth while to appoint one to inquire carefully and report on the following points : —(1) As to the "exodus." How many of those who have left the Colony were many way fitted to occupy land. The tower to this would probably surprise most people. I have no hesitation in saying it would be not far from "nil." (2) Has there been zr.y difficulty in obtaining good land at moderate prices, while the exodus has gone on ? To answer this by a statement offact withii my own knowledge that at no time in the history of the Colony has land been so readily available as for the last thiee years. On this point I can speak very positively, having made considerable purchases, and refused numbers of very desirable investments. There never has been a time at which men with small capital could invest with euch certainty of profit as at the preient moment, and yet we are told land s not obtainable. Any man vho will now start as we early settlers started, work 16 hours a day, live the hardest of lives, without luxuries of any kind, save every penny he makes, will get on, but who will do this now ? I fear not many. We live in an " eight hour " period, when life on pork, tea, and " damper " is thought not worth living. We, who went through many years of such hardships, surely deserve some success, but how few there are who have yet achieved even independence, to say nothing of wealth. Let a commission be appointed to inquire into a few of these facts, and the eyes of the public will be opened to see how they are being' misled for political purposes. My belief is that of those who are joining in bursting-up " cry are perfectly Bincere in their opinions, and are consequently open to conviction. It is to them, therefore, that I appeal to ascertain the truth before allowing themselves to be led away on a path of taxation, which, while it may probably injure the rich, will, with much great certainty, if persisted in, make the poor still poorer. I am, &c, Chables Phabazto. Longwood, Featherston, July 13, 1891.