MEN OF MEANS FOR THE COLONIES.

Marlborough Press, Volume XX, Issue 1196, 14 November 1879, Page 4

MEN OF MEANS FOR THE COLONIES.

The Horae correspondence of the Auckland Star, writing by last mail, says :—lt may seem a bold thing to say, but if only I bad the land nothing would be easier than to make up a "special settlement” party of a very superior class. Numbers of men who have saved two or three thousand pounds out of the wrecks of their fortunes want to emigrate, only they don’t quite know where to go or what to do. Governnent agents, I am sorry to say, are distrusted, and very naturally too. The majority of these good men “ pile on the agony” so tremendously, and draw such liberal drafts on their imaginations, that eduoated folks become incredulous, and not merely incredulous, but distrusting. Any agent who would confine himself strictly to facts, and not attempt to paint the colony in absurdly rosy colours might do a good business. Emigrants naturally expect a certain amount of toil and trouble. They are quite prepared for it, and in ninety-nine cases out of a hundred would not bo deterred from leaving the old country, even if they knew the very worst that could possibly befall them. The lecturer, who eulogises the colony extravagantly may possibly catch a few flats, but he almost always loses the very men best worth having, Writing on the great question of the day—agricultural depression—“ The Farmer” (a journal specially devoted to the interests its name implies) says : u lt is eagerly asked, whither shall the emigrant farmer wend his way ? There is no lack of information on the point just now, and he that runs may read. Without wishing to detract from the opportunities offered by other countries, it might be supposed that Englishmen generally would prefer being under. British rule to becoming subjects of foreign potentates if equal facilities and prospects are offered them. Considering, therefore, that England possesses the greater portion of North America, the Dominion of Canada at least affords a wide field for operations. Australia, and especially New Zealand, offer tempting claims. Cape Colony also, now peace is likely to be restored and to last for many years, seems a desirable part of the world for intending emigrants On the ground of patriotism or of self-advancement, then, we agree with a recent article in the “Globe,” that emigrants will do well to turn deaf ears to the plausible representations of enterprising Yankees, and to seek trustworthy information from some of the Crown agencies for ihe Colonies.”