A CONTENTED IMMIGRANT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19474, 2 November 1926, Page 9

A CONTENTED IMMIGRANT.

LIFE IN NEW ZEALAND. PRAISE FROM ENGLISH JOINER. [from otjr own correspondent.] LONDON. Sect. 22. Tho current number of the Illustrated Carpenter and Builder contains an articla by a London joiner who has encouraging and optimistic things to say about his experiences 'in New Zealand. The writer arrived in the third largest town in the North Island one Friday afternoon. "Next morning," he says, "I ferreted out the union secretary, walked right in, and announced, 1 am a carpenter and joinoi*, just out from the; Old Country.' 'The devil you are,' was the rejoinder, and, rising slowly and extending his right hand, 'Welcome to New Zealand, brother,' added this representative of organised labour. After a short chat I was told of some six jobs* vacant. I went right away to one and got a start for the following Monday at 3d per hour over the rate, or award as we say here. "After having worked for my employer for a fortnight he came to me asked how I was getting on, did I like the country ? He spoke of himseli as 'Dave/ and told me Tom, Dick, and Harry was as good as his master in New Zealand, adding, 'And why shouldn't he be?' With which sentiments I fully agreed, and at the same time recorded a mental regret at tho absence of this spirit as between employer and employee in the Old Country. And that is my first experience of a New Zealand employer. "Then what of the men? I found all those I had to work with were colonials, and expected a certain measure of reserve, but there was none. In fact, I have been made to fee], more of a foreigner in the Midland districts of England than here in the Antipodes. Here you are not a foreigner, unless you are a 'Chow' (Chinese); Britishers are either colonials of New Zealand birth, or 'Homies.' I have found the colonials willing to take you at your face value, and work-mates ready with advice regarding work, materials, or any other matter, but then I took care neveir to show 'how it is done at home' unless. asked. "Do not get the idea that there is a famine in skilled men. There is not. Neither are there fortunes awaiting all and sundry. But there is room and a welcome for first-class mechanics; 'woodbutchers' are not wanted, neither are 'clock-watchers, 1 and I can assure you there are few of these latter amongst the colonials; but the sterling British tradesman with a good tool kit is always appreciated. Then there is a freer life, a grand climate, real prospects of owning the house you live in, and if possessed of a little capital good opportunities of establishing your own Thi.3 is a country, more or less, of small masters. Rents are higher, but you get more for your money."