A GOOD ADVERTISEMENT

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 11580, 19 February 1901, Page 4

A GOOD ADVERTISEMENT

Now that the most enjoyable fortnight which the Imperial troops have given to the people of New Zealand has passed—let us hope with equal enjoyment on the part of our departing guests—we may without impropriety refer to the unnoticed business side of the visit. The British army is largely recruited in the country districts and the country towns, wherefrom go the great bulk of landsettling emigrants, for in spite of its reduced standards of height and chest, the War Department finds that a very considerable percentage of the recruits offering in the great towns fall below the required measurements. While the wages paid in the specialised industries of British cities and the attractions of city life prevent the more capable from generally seeking the to-them untried and often uncongenial opportunities of new countries. It is from the country towns and country districts of Britain that the settlers must mainly be drawn, and these have strong inducements to migrate to more advantageous fields. Our visitors will carry home with them a wider knowledge of colonial life and opportunities than has generally been known to the British working classes from whom the rank and file come. South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, will all be common topics in their conversation. Each man will be an authority on these in a wide circle of friends and acquaintances. Naturally, many mistaken impressions will have been formed, but much that is worthy of note and reliable as information will be circulated. All the colonies which have rivalled each other in entertaining the Imperials will find friends and

champions among them, and will find in this advertisement a speedy and unexpected return. We may be very certain that when the varied attractions and advantages of the places they have seen are summed up by our visitors. New Zealand will be generally ranked first as a goal for country emigrants. Australia has greater towns and more complex city life. South Africa may offer for a time more seeming inducements to military settlers and armed yeomanry. But we know thoroughly well that no part of the world can compete with New Zealand for climate, rainfall and soil, and for the homelife so dear to the country people of the Old Land. The flying visit of the Imperials, short though it has been, cannot have failed to impress them with the unique advantages of the Britain of the South and with the ease with which a new home can be built here by any industrious man who does not wish to dwell in great cities. When we remember how much we need suitable immigrants, it must be admitted that as an advertisement the entertainment of our visitors has been worth far more than its cost in that unforeseen item alone.