HANDS ACROSS THE SEA.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 200, 24 August 1929, Page 6 (Supplement)

HANDS ACROSS THE SEA.

COLONIALS AND ENGLISH.

FAULTS ON BOTH SIDES.

(By G. EDITH BURTON.)

We eeem of late to be continually ■having bickerings about English, and colonial types, rights and all eorts of vexed questions between us. Writers ask, "What is a colonial?" Well, I suppose a real "dyed in the wool" colonial to-day is the offspring of parente bora in New Zealand, though most of ue with our "Home" born parente were the first type. I, generally call myself a "Scots colonial" to people who really want to know; it is brief, yet illuniin-

ating. ■' • • ' But what is our position? This, at all events, is haw it appears to the writer. Our forefathers came, out her© to New Zealand to carve homes out of a new land. They suffered three, yes, and sometimes four, months of tlio awful trials of the primitive ships of that day; they faced the incredible- hardships, hideous dangers; and always they spoke lovingly of "Home." Many of them became -wealthy farmers' or "business men;-yet always they spoke longingly, dutifully, .lovingly of "Home." To the children at their knees they painted pictures of the Homeland; to the youths and the maidens growing up, with little idea of the immensity of anything but space, they talked of cities. And the children grew up and talked of "Home" almost more- lovingly, more pridefully, than did their parents. Loyalty was the keynote, and jealousy, sneers, scorn we.re unheard of. More fortunate- ones sent for their relatives (but, mark you, they made themselves responsible for ■them). There was land for all, room for all, in these early days. Living was so simple then, wants so few, that almost all needs were supplied by their holdings. Then the children of pioneers grew up. Capable, enterprising men and women; tackling all manner of work as it came to hand with amazing efficiency; inventing' all manner of makeshifts ■when proper implements were not , available. And still they spoke lovingly of "Home." Leaders sprang up among them, fine legislative laws were passed, many of which were models for the Old World. Then perhaps we grew a little vainglorious; it is so easy to be too proud of a very fine tiling. And when, year after year, people poured out from "Home" perhaps our pride was a little aggressive. Perhaps when these- "new chums" appeared no Landless, trained as they were in one certain groove, and with very little initiative 'beyond one job—perhaps then we rejoiced too openly in our ability to tackle anything that was going. And on their side lay faults, too, for they were not' like our forefathers, whose spirit was so brave,.yet so humble. They sometimes came, ae it were, with a superior sniff; they came to teach, and remained to learn, or went back disgruntled. They- were surprised, but not often touched, by the loving way we called England "Home," and not a few scoffed at us. . Tihey came not quite as brothers to those who spoke of "The Motherland." They could not quite understand our independence and pur loyalty, walking hand-in-hand. _ Besides, the various , immigration schemes overloaded our land and there was excusable bitterness on both sides.One has to feel immensely sorry for those who come out here full of hope of pipe dreams to come true, only to find that often they have to remain workless, or to know that-they have ousted a native of New Zealand. Sorry, too, does one feel for the descendants of those brave pioneers who have to "make room." I have heard some very sad tales of even married colonials who have had to make room because their employers in a weak moment had guaranteed so many places for the next lot of immigrants arriving. Then the indignant relatives write to the Press; indignant immigrants who in most cases have been greatly misled, answer bitterly back, and we get to where we started. In a nutshell, the whole- thing is thie, from a New Zealander's point of view: "When you come out here as our brothers, remembering that a little over a century ago our forefathers were one with yours, we love you; but when you bring your superior air to light, when you say wiUi a sniif that your sous and daughters must go 'Home , to grow up, to be educated —yes, and to marry — ■well—". .- :*"■: ,■-;