FARMERS’ TOURS

Hawera Star, Volume L, 10 April 1930, Page 14 (Supplement)

FARMERS’ TOURS

ENGLISH VISIT OF 1880

Keen interest has been taken in the visits of farmers from different parts of the Empire to the Old Country or to the Dominions and they have done a lot of excellent work, but it is interesting to read from the Wellington “Evening Post” of 1880 that “one of the sensations of the early part of 18S0 was the visit of Alessrs Grant and Foster, the Lincolnshire farmers’ delegates, wh'osc mission it was to tour Nejui Zealand, making fill i inquiries

and report as to (he merits of the colony as a place <vf settlement for those who had sent them out here. Farmers representing a very large proportion of the most highly cultivated portion of Lincolnshire. ’ Messrs Grant and Foster wore themselves tenants of .extensive farms in that country.

The telegrams -published . in the “Evening Post” recorded the movement of the delegates almost day bv

day; and, commenting editorially on their .visit. “The Post” said: “It would be one of the happiest things wlnt'li ever happened to this colony if it -could induce a large immigration -of such men. . .. . If, as we hope may be the .case, Alessrs Grant and Foster -come to the conclusion that Neiw Zeniand holds out far better prospects to t'hcir constituents than Lincolnshire can offer them, -certainly we -may look forward to the arrival of a body of admirable settlers cf this class most needed——men e-f experience,' and possessed of the necessary capital lo turn it to t'lie best account. . ... If, unfortunately, they should come to the conclusion that emigration to New Zealand would not be a -change fer the bettor on the part of their constituents, we shall at least enjoy in t'hcir report an opportunity of seeing ourselves as others see us, and may derive great benefit from having our defects and disadvantages placed fairly and honestly before. Ur by thoroughly impartial judges.”