THE NATURALISATION OF AUSTRIANS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 11950, 26 April 1902, Page 5

THE NATURALISATION OF AUSTRIANS.

If may bo remembered by our readers that for a considerable time past Mr. M. A. Ferri has interested himself in getting, the Austriana here (his fellow countrymen), now engaged chiefly in gum-digging, to become occupiers and cultivator.-) of the land, and to lead a settled form of life, instead of the semi-nomadic life which the gumdiggers generally lead. He has also endeavoured to get all those who were likely to remain permanently in the colony, not only to become settled on the land, but to become naturalised subjects of the British Empire. In some oases ho has been successful, but he has had » great deal of opposition in carrying out his intentions. Under one influence and another he thinks the majority of those who were likely to bo restless and unsettled in their habits have left the colony, but for tome time past lie has received no reply from the Government in connection with the applications for naturalisation which he has sent to Wellington. At this apparent neglect ho has felt disappointed, and the Austrians who made application to become naturalised have been discouraged, and formed the suspicion that some secret influence was ■at work in opposition to them. Yesterday ho decided to bring these doubts to an issue. At the head of a deputation of young stalwart fellows, who desired to beeomo permanent settlers ip Now Zealand, he visited His Excellency the Governor, who courteously received them. Mr. Ferri introduced the deputation, and stated how matters stood, and pointed to the young men composing the deputation as a sample of the class of Austrians who were anxious to throw in their lot with the New Zealanders. He also stated that one of his countrymen had volunteered to go to South Africa and form one of the New Zealand contingents. His Excellency expressed surprise at the statements made, and said that sober industrious Hubj',ots of Austria who desired to become naturalised British subjects in New Zealand had as good a right to that privilege as the subjects of any other country. His Excellency promised to have a full inquiry made into the matter, and in due time would communicate his answer in writing, and in conclusion asked if any of those who wanted to become naturalised British subjects intended to take Now Zealand girls as their wives. One of those present owned up to the fact that lie was already engaged, but wanted to be a naturalised subject before the ceremony took place. Mr. Ferri, on behalf of the deputation, thanked His Excellency for his attention and withdraw.