THE AUSTRIAN GUMDIGGERS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVI, Issue 11058, 9 May 1899, Page 3

THE AUSTRIAN GUMDIGGERS.

TO THE EDITOR.

Sir,— see in this week's paper a letter from a correspondent on the East Coast, with which I strongly agree. Touohing on tho Austrian question, the day is fast dawning when if some more drastic measures are not taken to protect I the gum industry a Large numbor of people will find it out to their sorrow. The Austrian aro to be found now located in every nook and corner, in bag whores, where quietness reigns supreme, seldom mixing up with any society except their own race. No wonder the Britishers complain bitterly against them when they are taking the bread out of tljoir mouths. They have no notion of settling in the colony, and making homes for themselves. All they come for is to see what they can take from the soil in the shape of gum, that being their only object in view, and then leave again with what they make, like a flock of swallows. They have not the least idea of settling in the country where they mado their money— more notion than I have of settling in Siberia. In fact, we do not want them here at all. We want men with plenty of capital, who will employ labour, not a class of people who are fast spoiling the labour market, and taking the money out of the country. I have heard that the Austrians aro a steady, hard-working class of people. They work hard to some extent, but that is to suit their own ends. No doubt some of them are steady and saving, and in time, by hard graft and half starvation, manage to accumulate a little money. I have known a few of them who spent as much money in debaucheries as any Britisher, but that is a rare occurrence. They might help to swell the revenue a little, but the day is not far distant when they will bo swelling the ranks of the unemployed.* I also know a couple of storekeepers up North who do a bit out of them, who charge exorbitant prices for stores, and get the Austrian gum for a mere song.—l am, etc., J.H.3. Horseshoe Bush, Wade, May 1, 1899.