THE UNEMPLOYED.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XIV, Issue 3147, 5 December 1893, Page 3

THE UNEMPLOYED.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir, —I am thankful that Mr Oliver has read my letter with such great pleasure. With this assurance of further goodwill ] am encouraged to dip my pen again. Mr Oliver confesses to being flattered by the ladies. I wonder not at this, as it is ladies' nature to flatter or even to flirt with a good looking fellow; but when they mean practical business they retire to the confidence of practical minded men, and perhaps the ladies had a little axe to grind by drawing my good natured friend just by a little tease. Although the females have enjoyed the franchise for such a short time, undoubtedly the majority of them h&d no reason to solicit public opinion as to who they were to vote for. Their interests run in parallel lines with their male friends, and their prudence taught them to support a party who would direct them and their male friends to an independent line of life. They have no desire to oppose any of our i industriousoommunities, be they laborers, farmers, or tradesmen, but the reverse. They mean to assist a strong government to utilise the resources of the country to the best advantage for the good of the people in general. I quite agree with Mr Oliver that the farjner or agriculturalist have laid the foundation stones ot all the banking and commercial institutions of the country, and that they are entitled to the highest consideration legislation can afford. Yet a great many of ibis class deny themselves the privilege cf enforcing the ad-, vantages held out to them by a substantial combination among3t themselves. The two parties now in existence will Struggle for supremacy, in opposition to their own ■specal interests, and to the disadvantage of the people in general, and to the great advantage of a few. But as I have pointed out before, the morning will dawn when the hard working farmer and working men in general will find it compulsory to draw the mantle oi equality, and independence around theie forms to ] protect themselves from the raids of invaders with all their their pet and pathy schemes for their tfwn mutual advancement. Politically, Mr Oliver and myself differ in opinion, and he no doubb by this time will regret that so many of his favorites have failed to secure a seat in Parliament. In hi* belief Mr Wason and Mr Wright should have been the chosen members for Ashburton and Rangitata respectively. Unfortunately for their supporters they have both failed, but their failure is not the worst. The greit leader of the opposition f arty has failed. Now, sir, whatever private qualities these gentlemen nvvv have, it points a moral to themselves and suppoi ters that they have tone too far in trying to prevent the present Government from legislating for the benefit of the majori y. And this failure should act as a warning to th ;se small and medium sized farmers not to be guided by the groans and supporters of , the dying members of the opposition ■ party or Pres?, but to think for themselves. Is not the jaded steed of their party riderless, [and the political horse, which has proved powerless to invade ia standing trembling on his last leg 9, wailiag for a man of vengeance to ride him unto death. Who that unfor-' lunate man may be no one can foretell. He must be a man of strong faith in his party to undertake the leadership of a party who can never rally sufficient force to defend their own interests, and would merely mean a revolt of weakness against force. This is the party whom my political opponent would venture to encourage the working people to support But the working people of New Zealand are not so politically blind, as some people would imagine. Self education is a practical teacher, as the system is simple and can never be forgotten. This simple teaching has forced the people of New Zealand on to this independent and democratic age. I have no intention of dictating to Mr Oliver, because I am perfectly well awa-e that no words that I could utter would have the effect of altering his opinion. Moreover as he hails from the land of cakes, a highlander to boot, and has worn the kilt, the task of his conversion would I fear be found very difficult. In conclusion I may state that I am not anxious to carry on a public correspondence with Mr Oliver against his will, as he stated in his kst letter that he intended to wipe his political pen, and with good grace I accept this as a surreader on his part, if it suits his purpose, as I am perfectly satisfied with the power that my party possesses, and I have every confidence in them to f jrm a future destiny for the rising generation of New Zealand,—l am etc., Wm. Strachaf.