“NEW AUSTRALIA.”

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1201, 8 March 1895, Page 17

“NEW AUSTRALIA.”

TO THE EDITOK. Sib,— As but one side of “New Australian ” history is at present being served up by the cable man for the delectation of New Zealanders, permit me to state a few facts which I have gleaned during a visit to the centres of organisation. I took a great deal of trouble to obtain reliable information on the subject, because many people have asked my advice as to joining the colony. Our last cabled information came from a man named White, one of the expelled members, about whom Mr John Sibbald, one of Adelaide’s best known and respected public men, wrote from the settlement in his short history of the movement: —“ A small clique led by Fred White were absolutely adverse to some of our rules, and he himself towards the end of the voyage made open boast of his intention to break them on every opportunity, showing no compunction whatever at breaking his broken and written word and perjuring himself to a shipful of people.” White was subsequently expelled for misconduct, and with others who accepted Lane’s monetary offer to leave the colony found their way with difficulty to Monte Video. It is these people who have since been clamouring for assistance, and not the New Australians, who are now on the high road to prosperity. The limits of your space will not permit of anything like a history of the progress of the colony, but I may be allowed to state a few particulars of general interest. It was agreed at first that William Lane, the originator of the movement, should have sole chaige of the party until sufficient numbers were on the settlement to justify the declaration of the constitution. Although few even now doubt the bonafides of Lane, it was soon discovered that he did not possess the necessary qualifications for leadership, being too reticent, irritable, and somewhat autocratic. He had arrived at certain conclusions by a long process of thought, and became impatient when others could not arrive at the same conclusions with scarcely any thought whatever. Expecting faith without reason he failed to get it, and looked with disfavour upon all who differed from him in opinion. Discontent followed—chiefly amongst those who knew him least—with the result that a number ultimately accepted his offer to receive back certain moneys and leave the settlement. Lane’s rule continuing to be unsatisfactary, it was determined to obtain permission from the Association in Australia to declare the constitution. This was given and self-government began, Lane declining to remain, and taking away with him to fresh territory those who believed him to be in the right. Since Lane’s departure the true New Australians—those who have stood by the original constitution and are now working the lands ceded to them by the Paraguayan Government—have made great progress, and write most hopefully of their prospects. Husbands have sent for their wives and children, sons for their fathers and mothers, and brothers for their sisters and sweethearts. One party of 31 left last month to join their friends there, and in March another party will pass through Wellington, on their way to the settlement by the New Zealand Shipping Company’s steamer. Two townships have been formed on the Association’s land within nine miles of each other —one on low ground

the other on high. The wheat on the high ground has returned 30 bushels to the acre ; that on the low ground has proved a failure. Potatoes and other vegetables are all that can be desired. The little colony own three thousand head of cattle and other stock, and have thus not only overcome their own food difficulty, but are supplying neighbouring towns with butter and surplus stock. Miles of fencing have been put up, stores, houses and school buildings erected, wheat, oats, barley, lucerne, coffee, tobacco and sugar planted, while arrangements have been made to grow the profitable ramie. An agreement has been made to supply this fibre to a man for seven years, he taking 5 per cent, of the profits in exchange for finding a market, seed and tuition. This produot yields three crops in the year, realising <£oo an acre. The magnificent woods which grow in the territory, and which cannot be beaten for the better kinds of furniture and wooden pavements, are also being cut for market, while offers from two English sawmillers are under consideration to supply the most modern sawmilling plants on condition that they are

permitted membership. I saw many letters from people on the settlement expressing

satisfaction with their prospects, and declaring that nothing would induce them to

return to Australia, John Sibbald himself

writes : “ I would not give my chance here for anything Australia has to offer, unless, indeed, South Australia were land free, debt free and people free.” These facts speakfor themselves. I do hot reproduce them for the purpose of inducing people to leave New Zealand, but simply in fairness to brave high and. womeii wlio are endeavouring to peacefully solve the greatest and most threatening problem of the age. This side of New Australian history has been entirely ignored by'a section of the New Zealand press, and the cable man, but full publicity has been giv.en to the ex parte statements of people who have been ex* polled. Despite initial difficulties the 300 New Australians, whose numbers are being augmented every month, have an enormous amount ol work to show for the period under two years-—they have been on the _ settlement. Compared with the difficulties encountered by the early settlers in these colonies, the trial 3 of the New Australians have been as naught. Crime, prostitution, want of employment and starvation no not and cannot exist there. Can the same be said of these colonies ? Only one death has occurred, the cause being heart disease, since the people have been on the settlement.—l am, &c., E J L GWellington, February 26th.