The "Bratska Sloga."

Bratska Sloga, Volume I, Issue 2, 29 May 1899, Page 1

The "Bratska Sloga."

SOCIAL GATHERING OF AUSTRIAN. RESIDENTS.

On the 23rd of May, at a-private residence in Princes Street, the Austrian residents of Auckland held a social gathering to celebrate the inauguration of the “ Bratska Sloga,” a newspaper just issued in the interests of the Dalmatian section ■of the community, and printed bbbh in the Croatian and English languages. In addition to the Austrians present, a number of British subjects attended by invitation of Mr. M. A. Ferri, including Dr. Baldwin, Rev. H. W. Williams, Messrs. J. Stichbury (Chairman Hospital and Charitable Aid Board), J-Schisclika, J. R. Hanna, A. R. T. Haul tain, Gep; Hume, Grant, and Lester, while apologies for unavoidable absence were-read from Messrs. D. Goldie .(Mayor of J, J. Holland, M.H.R., Hon. W. T. Jennings, M.L.C., Very Rev. Dr. Egan, 0.5.8., and 'others, one and all of whom expressed in their communications a hope that the newspaper just launched would meet with a deserved measure of prosperity. The drawing-room, in . which the supper-table was laid out, was tastefully decorated,, the space behind the chair being draped with the national flags, while overhead was a group showing the Emperor Francis Joseph, and members of the Royal family, the opposite end of the room being draped with the Union Jack of Old England.

Mr. E. Langguth, Austrian Consul, occupied the chair, and said—

Gentlemen, We are assembled here to-night to celebrate a very rare, and I must say a very happy, event. It is to welcome the first number'of the “Bratska Sloga,” the first newspaper in the Croatian language, not only in New Zealand, but in the whole of Australasia.

Six months ago the idea of an Austrian newspaper was not thought of, in fact this was not considered possible, but when early in January the New Zealand Govern; ■ment thought fit to legislate, or rather, issue decrees directed straight against our nationality, it became absolutely necessary that we should write and resist as much as possible the attacks made against us, and the appearance of a newspaper in the Croatian language is an important step ■ towards the union of our as yet scattered forces.

This paper will particularly benefit’ these Austrians who have decided to settle' in the country, and I am glad ’to say that a good many have already taken up lands

and propose to grow'wine, tobacco, and other products for which there ( will be a good ffiarket . Here, and . which the Colonials are, as yet, unable to produce, being ignorant of these particular branches of agriculture. , As the f ‘ Bratska Sloga ”, will be printed in the Croatian and English languages; I

hope it will bring you in closer contact with the English, and promote peace and

good the so widely different nationalities.

Gentlemen, the value this paper has in furthering interest and your just cause cannot be overrated by you, and I trust you will not fail to see the importance of it, and will subscribe and support liberally ! You will now be able to hear what is going on in the world. The laws and customs of. this country will be explained to you, any inquiries and questions asked will be readily answered, and in short from an utterly helpless foreigner you can raise yourself to a respected colonist, like the GermanAustrian settlers have done in the Puhoi district. A great prejudice has to be overcome, and I do not think I am wrong in saying that the average Colonial knows less about us than we do about them, and some of the local newspapers do not improve matters. They talk of “hordes” and “ bands” of Austrians, . and nearly put you on a par with the Chinese. Addressing the Austrians, I do not wish to flatter you, but I should like to put an equal number of. Colonial and Austrian gumdiggers before an impartial judge, and ask his opinion as to the mental and physical standard of the different men, and I am sure the verdict would be vastly in your favour. You are accused of clearing the country of gum ; possibly this will happen at some distant date, but if you do not lift the. gum from six to ten feet out of the ground,, .who would do it? ■■

In spite of the large output, the price of gum continues high, showing clearly that the demand for kauri is increasing.

Some six' months- ago -’it was stated that, in consequence of the enormous production, the price of gum was sure to fall to a level which would leave the Colonial gumdigger no margin. There was a slight fall in April, but not on account of overproduction ; the market has since : fully recovered, and prices are as high as ever.

You are further accused of sending your earnings home, instead of spending them here; but what is the total amount.of ybur savings, compared with the millions of money this colony sends Home every year for interest to English -and foreign capitalists? You worked hard for your few and contributed your share to the revenue, but the capitalists at Home do . not. ...

Another complaint is, that the Austrians : spend no money, and live on the proverbial “ smell of an oil rag,” All I have seen of you proves that you live better than . the average. Colonial digger, and if you do. - not indulge in the abominable practice of knocking down your cheques and .spending every farthing you possess in drink, I can ■ only congratulate you. ■ Another outcry.against you is, that the , country North of, Auckland is overrun by Austrians, and that the settlers and others are deprived of their living.,' My opinion is that a farmer who has to depend on gum for a living is to be pitied; and,-as to , the other charge, I claim that Austria is more overrun by English than this colony is with Austrians; only in ; the .former instance it is English capital; and . here Austrian labour—if the term overrun can be applied. . . .1 believe the English edition; of the. “ Bratska Sloga” will prove,-quite, as useful to you as-the’Croatian. I have- been given to • understand that a large number of the liberal-minded Britishers will support this paper, and we shall be in a position to bring our. grievances before the public, and correct /erroneous .and false. ; statements made against us. . -

The English take great pride in their fair and square dealings, and justly so J but in the case of foreigners they do not take the trouble to find out much about them; they judge to a great extent by what their newspapers tell them, and the existing strained feeling up North between Austrians and English is partly attributable to the misrepresentations in the local newspapers, but I give the writers credit that they were ignorant of the subject they wrote about.

Now that we have our own newspaper, we have an opportunity to protest against and correct any statements detrimental to our cause' We want nothing but what is right, and, trusting to British fairness, I hope that a better feeling between the two races will exist in future.

In conclusion, let me advise you to. observe strictly the laws of this country, do your duty like men, and avoid as much as possible friction with jealous neighbours and others? At the same time, ; read your newspapers, make yourselves ■ acquainted with the customs of ■ this ; country, both : socially ; and ■ politically. J 3,000 able-bodied men, not ■ unskilled : labour, but nearly all knowing some ; trade"’ ;or industry, are if united no mean factor in a new country like this. I trust the ; time will not be far distant when the now r despised Austrian will become a respected • ’citizen of this.great colony.

! Much praise is due to the proprietors in starting the “ Bratska Sloga,” and in' supporting this, under taking you not only ■ i derive personal benefit, but also help the , I common cause. ’

/ That the’ il Bratska Sloga” may thrive and prosper is my earnest desire,'in which \no doubt you will join me.

' During the late crisis the Imperial ’ Austrian Government effectively watched

i our interests' through energetic repre- ; representation made to the Royal British ■ Government in London. Our noble Emperor has the welfare of his people at heart, in spite of the many misfortunes that have befel his illustrious house; and as ' loyal and grateful subjects to his Majesty ■ Francis Joseph, we cannot show our gratil tude better than singing our Nationa- ; Anthem.

Those present then joined in the sing ing of the "Austrian National Antheni,led 'by a string orchestra, after which refreshments were partaken of. ■ During the ' evening a number of other speeches' were also made. Mr. J. Stichbury, Chairman ;of the Hospital and Charitable Aid .Board, said that he rose as an Aucklander of forty years’ standing to wish the Austrians and Mr. - Ferri every success in their new venture. Referring to a proposal, made, byFerri, that the Austrians should . contribute a sum of money to the hospital funds, he explained that probable establishment of a hospital, would be made at Whangarei, for the North Auckland District- . It. would be wiser if the Austrians, who - were chiefly settled in that district,, were to send their contributions to.Whangarei. ; Dr. Baldwin also’wished success to the new venture, and in a humorous speech described the arhusing aggressiveness of John Bull, the world over. He regretted to say-that his only acquaintance with the Dalmatians was in their period of sickness in the hospital, and then the chief difficulty they caused him was owing to their ignorance df English. ' . 'Mr. An tun Bulat, Editor of the “Bratska Sloga,” in his remarks said :— Mr. Chairman and — r - ■ I cannot , express myself, this-evening im proper, words, on this, occasion at - .the gathering to celebrate the. starting of the.

“ Bratska Sloga,” the first Austrian newspaper in Australasia, for this is the first time that I have spoken in public.

I asked to be excused should I make any error in the English language but I oan - assure you, gentlemen, that my heart is full of joy at seeing so manyofyou and all of you together with me in sympathising in the Austrian welfare in this colony. j

The policy of our journal, gentleman, is quite well known to you, and I promise, gentlemen, that I will endeavour to the

best of my ability to educate my countrymen up to the standard and freedom that the Britisher enjoys. Now, I will pass to Mr. M. A. Ferri, whose name is familiar to you, and whose ability surpasses mine, that he may give you some further information.

After Mr. Bulat’s speech, Mr. M. A. Ferri then rose, amidst loud applause and greeting. On account of Mr. Ferri’s speech being of some length and of interest, we are compelled by pressure of space to hold it over for the next issue. Austrians and Britishers look forward to the next issue for Mr. Ferri’s speech.

Messrs. Hanna, Lester, Haul tain, Hume. Francis Covich, and others, briefly expressed their sympathy, with the objects of the meeting. -

Mr. Joseph Franich replied on behalf of the Dalmatians present, and thanked Mr. Bulat, the proprietor, and said that on his wedding day all the gentlemen present would be invited.

Mr. J. Schischka described the effects of Austrian colonisation at Puhoi. The interesting speech of Mr. Schischka will also appear in our next issue.

During the evening a variety of musical items were rendered, the result being practicaily a polyglot concert. The string orchestra discoursed excellent music at intervals. Several Dalmatian choruses were rendered, and Messrs. Franich and George Bulat gave solos in Dalmatia; Mr. Hanna sang two English songs; Mr. Stichbury gave selections on his two novel instruments; Dr. Baldwin recited Bret. Harte’s “Heathen Chinee;” Mr. Bogdanovich sang a Spanish song; Rev. H. W. Williams sang a Maori song; further English songs were contributed by four young ladies, and a most interesting evening’s entertainment was then brought to a close by Dr. Baldwin proposing the health of the Queen, and Mr. Ferri’s birthday, which occurred that day. After singing the British National Anthem, the company dispersed shortly after 11 p.m.

All concerned are to be congratulated on the success of the gathering, and the result should be. to give the; Bratska Sloga” a great impetus towards a prosperous career. Altogether, a very pleasant evening was spent.