To our English Readers.

Bratska Sloga, Volume I, Issue 1, 15 May 1899, Page 2

To our English Readers.

In starting the present journal, several considerations have influenced us in the action we have taken. There are a large number of so-called “ Austrians ” now in the Auckland Province — quite three thousand in number—and all are industrious workers, each producing something towards our total exports required for the payment of Government expenses and the interest upon our National Debt. Among all this large number of healthy working people there are very few who

can make themselves understood in English ; and even the few who have some knowledge of that language can express themselves very indifferently in it, and have no means of knowing the current news of the day, or to become acquainted with the views and actions of our public men. It seemed to us necessary that some means should be provided to these people expressed in a language understood by them, especially when they are willing to support such a medium of conveying knowledge to them. Then, again, the most of the “ Austrians ” now in this colony are likely to oe with us permanently, for good or bad. The great majority of them are very unlikely ever to leave New Zealand, whatever may be said to the contrary. There are several substantial reasons which will have their influence in such a decision. Amongst others, it may be said there is a freedom in colonial life which is not experienced in countries in Europe, and those who are now here have not been slow to recognise the difference in social life which prevails here as compared with that which obtains in the land they have left, Dalmatia. Then there are also better prospects for the industrious workers than are possessed by a similar class of people in all parts of Europe. Considering then the number of Dalmatians who are now here in daily employment in this part of New Zealand, and to whom the English language is an unknown tongue, it is but right that steps should be taken to organise this large body of willing workers so that their labour may be turned to the best advan tage to themselves and to the country in which they have cast their lot. - Among the Dalmatians there are various classes of workers. Some agricultural labourers, some general workers; some skilled in vine growing and general orchard work, while others are skilled tradesmen, though all at present are following a comparatively unskilled form of industry. To bring these disadvantageous circumstances into harmony and benefit to all, while a knowledge of the English language is being slowly acquired, we shall have to do many things which newspapers as a rule do not undertake. It will be our duty to try and make known to our British friends when a supply of labour of a particular class can be obtained amongst our countrymen, and it will also be our endeavour to get as many as possible located in several districts where successful settlements may be formed. The choice of districts or blocks of land where successful settlements may be formed, will require care, and we shall look for that kindly assistance from existing settlers as our countrymen will be prepared to extend in return in the years to come. The time will no doubt sooner or later arrive when the now foreign speaking element will become united as one people by the agency of our public school system and the mutual benefit each will be to the other.

Those who are engaged in business with, or who may desire to extend their business relationship to those now known as “Austrians,” will find our columns a suitable medium for reaching our countrymen on the gumfields, or in the settlements about being formed. Any business notice sent to us will be translated into the Slavonic language, which is the vernacular understood by all our countrymen now in New Zealand.

While trying to promote the prosperity of our countrymen settled, and forming settlements, in New Zealand, it will also always be our aim to promote harmony between the two races, and advocate those measures which are just and fair to both. In doing so will be a justification for the existence of the “Bratska Sloga,” and from the above remarks it will be seen that a large sphere of useful work lies open before us.