NEW ZEALAND.

Press, Volume XLII, Issue 6304, 2 December 1885, Page 5

NEW ZEALAND.

AN INTERNAL VIEW BY A CANTE rJH BUSY SETTLES. jj The following is the substance of jw article appearing under the above headuß in a late issue of the "Mark Lffß Express." The writer is a gentleman m has visited all the principal sgricultJHf and pastoral districts of New Zealand, mm his remarks will doubtless be read much interest by his fellow colonists. TW writer commences by saying:— _ ■ "The successful introduction of antipodian mutton into London, and the stagnanation ef trade throughout Great Britain, has caused much general enquiry tc<fig made as to the geographical features and the Bound and financial capabilities of the Australasian colonies. For years past tiie great publicity given through various sources to the advantages offered to settlers in Canada and the north-west interiors of the American Continent have caused thousands to migrate across the Atlantic. Doubtiesß the dreams of few have been realised, and many, if the truth were told, have been sorely disappointed. "Of the lands of the South comparatively little has been said, and the long sea voyage and expenses attending a return trip of 30,000 miles have prevented independent testimony being borne. Messrs Foster and Grant, the delegates sent out from Lincolnshire, saw, under the most favorable circumstances, a considerable extent of conntry, and on their return they doubtless furnished some valuable information respecting New Zealand. The delegates were, of course, shown over the' best estates, and most highly cultivated farms in both Islands, and would naturally convey back to tiie Old Country feelings of gratitude and sunny memories of the lands in which they had been most hospitably entertained. We, who paid for their pleasure, looked for a substantial addition to our agricultural community of hundreds of capitalists ; farmers who would not only teach us to farm, but what was of far more importance, relieve us of a Bhare of our estates at remunerative prices. We look in vain for the John Bull yeoman. Neither Lincolnshire or other farmers come but ia dribbles, and that mostly with anything but well filled purses. Many of the immigrants that have arrived on our shores have been nominated by their friends here, and have sought employment in towns at wages far higher than can be obtained in Europe. Owing to the small nature and limited number of colonial manufactures, a few hands too many for local requirements glut the market and add to the wail of the unemployed—a noisy body composed of the Adullamites from every calling, and of those without a trade — loafers, who, rather than take the first job of pick and shovel work they can get, lounge about public-houses, while their dependents starve. The man, however, who is fitted to be a colonist will readily adapt himself to the situation—and succeed Many of the idle ones eke out an existence by getting an occasional job at an up-country station, where they are paid at the rate of 20s per week and found. If they can manage to save two or three pounds it is enough for them to have a burst at the nearest public-house. Their money spent, they seek food and shelter at the sheep stations scattered throughout the colonies, making • point of arriving just as the sun is going down—hence they are called " sundowners." The stereotyped questions are—"Can I see the boss? 0 "Any chance of a job!" "Was told you wanted a man ?" "Can I stay all night ?** This last query is their pleasant way of asking for supper, bed and breakfast. Where the " boss " has refused to encourage these nomadic fellows, he has often been treated to a bonfire of eith«r his buildings, stacks or fences. .... There is one

elaasof immigrants deserving of far more pteythan is accorded them in these practical colonies—sentiment we have none. Thef. writer refers to young men and maidens who seek for light employment and « home. Many of them have been tenderly reared and received costly educations. There is practically no place for them in the colonies, and what eventually becomes of them no one knows. Clerks are, perhaps, the most helpless of these unfortunates.

"If intending immigrants thoroughly understood the conditions of the colonial labor market, we should not have constantly landing on our shores the class of men. and women above referred to. The writer's observations, which extend over every settled part of New Zealand, leads him to believe that there is work and good wages for every able-bodied honest workman Amongst those who sue-

oeed best, and are most valued, are men from the North of Ireland (Ulster), and North of England. Next to these are workers from Scotland, Wales, Cornwall, Devonshire, and Germany i whilst in the ruck may be found here and there a few who. have come from the Midland and Southern Counties of England and Ireland. Many of the sons and daughters of the British colonists are excellent and reliable workers, but those reared in the midst of

that luxury and extravagance which wast begotten of the squandered millions of borrowed money are most fitted for tiie race course and ballrooms—in fact, for anything but work. Amongst the new arrivals' there are bnt f«w enterprising capitalists. Men with money are more than ever wanted to develop the agricultural, pastoral, and mining industries of this Britain of the: Southern seas The high price paid for labor, tiie low rates ruling for grain, wool, and live-stock, and the taxation now found necessary for local requirements and for the payment of the crushing national debt, militates" against investment. In consequence of the encumbrances upon it, there is no lack of land in the market. Many of the small farmers have been so " financed '* that their condition appears to be one ef hepelesß drudgery. Every crop and animal they raise is their master'B/.from whom nlao they must purchase tbe necessaries of life at prices which a free agent never pays. Low prices of produce, nigh rates of interest on advances, commissions, Ac., bring these subjects of parasitic vigor quickly to the Bankruptcy %7ourt. These conditions of society, toigether with the spending, or rather squandering, cf a large portion of tiie thirty millions of borrowed money by a small population, has brought about a depression severe enough to make us talk of economy. An annual payment of one and a half millions on the money spent, and a corresponding payment on other debts amounting to thirty-eight millions, is bringing the Ipeople to a true sense of their position. send representatives to Parliament to obtain as much money aa possible for their respective districts, rather than to legislate for the public weal. . The writer concludes by expressing a belief that two or three years cf Bevere agricultural and commercial depression would ultimately prove to be a great blessing to the colony. Whatever was solid would remain and the bubbles burst. We should have sound commercial and social conditions of life. State management, which is founded on the old world model, is far too costly. We have the spectacle of the elephant drawing a costermonger's cart. Large economic reforms are urgently needed ere lasting prosperity can be ours; a prosperity founded not on the disbursement of a prodigal's fortune, but on the reßult of honest labor. Although New Zealand is subject to violent changes of temperature, we have a climate to which few can take exception. Animal and vegetable life form at a rate not known at Home, The soil, though sob generally rich, yet under favorable climatic conditions, produces more than a rich soil would in Great Brifein or America. The death rate ef 11 per 1000 inhabitants proves that our country is an exceptionally healthy one. Its well watered hills and plains, jta grand scenery, its mineral wealth, all indicate the possibility of its being: a much greater Britain than the. ill - advised , borrowing policy baa hitherto allowed it to-he.?... - A