AN IMMIGRANT’S LAMENT.

Evening Star, Issue 19724, 26 November 1927, Page 12

AN IMMIGRANT’S LAMENT.

TO THE EDITOR, Sir, —I wish to endorse all Mini “ Exsoldier ” has said on the conditions of New Zealand to-day, in so far as they refer to immigrants. By no .stretch of tlie imagination can the inducements held out to prospective settlers b© said to come up to-expectations. In fact, when the poet wrote: “To travel hopefully is better than to arrive,” he must have been thinking.of New Zealand. Honestly, 1. have no hesitation in saying that to tho majority New Zealand proves a bitter disappointment. I came here, being assured that .1. would come among people who would extend the “glad hand,” and that I would bo made to feel at home in my new country. Instead, I have been cold shouldered from the lirst and treated as one who had done a colonial out of a job! 1 wonder what is meant by having, room for the “ right ■ sort ” of immigrant? Is it one who comes to view the scenery and'then makes for home?_ At any rate, lam unable to fathom it. When I landed at Auckland I got the impression that the _ place-, had only recently been discovered by Mr Columbus. Wellington failed to impress me with any good points—in fact, for a seat of government, it made a very poor show. The Parliament Buildings I mistook for a picture palace, but that was'only one of my failures! While, walking through the streets—which, by the way, were crooked and narrow, —every third person scorned to bo on crutches. Christchurch? Well, after.seeing Wellington I was prepared for the worst! Christchurch is ‘‘flat,” and that applies to everything in it. These two cities sure made me homesick. . Therefore when coming to Dun-' cdinl was hoping for the best (and. T need not say, prepared for. the worst). Visitors here got. a. very cold reception, and unless they are possessed of a very thick hide and poor eyesight they soon find out what peace on earth, goodwill to men means. My only grievance is that 1 wish the people of Dunedin had not been held out to bo so very hospitable. ■ It is very different when ope expects nothing. Therefore their cheque of good-will I. return endorsed: ‘Refer to drawer.” Ono gets sick of the assumed air of prosperity of the place, where every, house is practically mortgaged, and cash butchers, cash bootmakers, cash this ;aud that, as if the whole business foundation was doing its best to steady itself from going oyer the brink. AVelJj I write more in'sorrow than .lii anger.-' I am content to leave the place , as. it .is. .and go back to a country’.‘'which, .if- it is ' not “ God’s own,” at least makes no pretentions of •being better than it is.—l am, etc,. Australia Triumphant. November 21. TO TIIU EDITOR. Sir,—ln . reply to “ Ex-Soldier's ” letH, under this, beading in your issue of tbc 24th inst., your correspondent is seemingly ignorant of the many excel-

lent .social organisations in our midst, whose solo endeavor is to ameliorate the hardships of those who are temporarily “up against it.” Foremost among these is tho Mission Office, Cathedral Buildings, Octagon, conducted by the Rev. V. G. Bryan King and tho Rev. G. E. Morcton. Between 9 and 10 a.m. daily these gentlemen may bo found ever ready to give practical sympathy and advice on all matters to those in need, regardless of sect or creed; therefore if “Ex-Soldier” would take his burden of worry to them, I know that lie would be speedily eased of much of his load, for no do serving case is ever turned down by the office in question. Furthermore, ho will bo shown such courtesy ami tact that the unpleasant feeling of being a recipient of charity will he entirely absent. Why grouse, “Soldier?” Wo were never downhearted at the front! So pack up your troubles, take them to the mission office, and come out all smile.s. “True dink!”—T am, etc., Ex-Major, B.E.F. November 25.