THE CANADIAN NORTH-WEST AND BRITISH COLUMBIA.

Otago Witness, Issue 2663, 29 March 1905, Page 11

THE CANADIAN NORTH- WEST AND BRITISH COLUMBIA.

A WARNING.

The following letter, received by Mr J. T. Grant, of Outram, from an Australian friend, who has been a journalist and a State school teacher, and has also had some experience in the raising of stock, has been placed at our disposal. It gives such a different account of the prospects that are offered in Canadian territory to that which is generally accepted that we are sure it ■will be read with interest: —

You will remember how often we heard of the disappointments of those who came to this country seeking land, with some (prospect of settlement, near a good market, •and some measure of fulfilment of the giltedged promises for success. It is still the same story : people who have given up good homes are attracted to Canada by the advertising pamphlets, scattered far and wide, proclaiming the assurance of success to anyone who would go and settle in tho North" West territories. This prospect is a very bright one for any man who has experienced some difficulties, some failures, and a course of hard luck ; but he would have to bring with him to this much-advertised country capital to the amount of about £500 — at least, not less than £400,— also splendid health, plenty of pluck and endurance, and sufficient courage to face a climate not endured in any other part of the British Empire for a similar period, and equal degree of severity of winter. It is" plain, upon the face of these facts, that if the New Zealander (or even the Australian) will only exert himself to the same extent and practise the same rule of life, as he would have to do hei-e in Canada, his prospects for success are just as bright ; and success is quite as near to him in New Zealand (or even Austra^a) as here in Canada.

I really thiuk that some notice should be given to the public, through tlie newspapers of both New Zealand md Australia, pointing out that Canada is not the paradise those pamphlets would have us believe it to be; also, that New Zealanders and Australians are no better off by going to Canada, for the following reasons : — They have the same prospects for success, also as good opportunities, in their own country. They would not be content to work on the land, "for the wages offering here are on the same standard of living. Tiiey are plainly told that they should bring- capital, as they are welcomed only as settlers on the land. From the Atlantic seaboard to the Pacific coast Canada has nothing to offer the settler on the land that cannot be equalled, and in many instances may be surpassed, in either Australia or New Zealand.

In a pamphlet pu.bbsh.ed by the British Columbia Government— Bulletin No. 9, page s—may5 — may be read the following warning : -. *" It is not desirable, in the interest of the province, that development should be hampered by men and women who are unused to, by experience, the trials of pioneer life. It must be understood that settlers will for some time be wholly isolated, and that for three yeans their property will be unproductive. The prospects for success in five years' time, or as soon as railway communication is afforded, are very good, f.nd all accounts are favourable to the belief that the Bulkley Valley is one of the most fertile in British Columbia, and well adapted for stock-raising ; but the way to success is long and hard, and >vithout pluck, untiring industry, intelligent effort, selfreliance, physical endurance, -md some capital to back those qualities, disappointment and failure are sure to result "

The above was made in reference to :ntending settlers when the Buckley "Valley was opened for settlement. This district is about 670. miles north of Vancouver; nevertheless, the main points of <his warning apply equally to the great North-West territories.

The newspapers ought to impress upon their readers that Canada is not suited to the average- Australian and New Zealander. for, although the land may ba of good quality, yet the water of the North-West is loaded "with alkaline (more or less), which affects the newcomer, causing 1 severe purging of the bowels, sometimes to exhaustion, and when the newcomer has recovered this attack he develops chronic constipation of a most obstinate form. Consequently the patent medicine and pill agents do an enormous business in the North-West. Of course, constitutions vary with individuals, and it is a case of " the survival of the fittest." Nevertheless, from Winnipeg to the Rockies, typhoid is rampant, notwithstanding the high standard of health proclaimed in those misleading pamphlets. There are, no doubt, many instances where men have been successful in farming, but after they have had a run of luck in harvesting their crops they sell out. Canada does not want mechanics, clerks, etc., but only farming men, who will settle on her lands. In fact, I a"m told that the people who are best suited for the settlement of the free grant of 160 acre® aro those people who are crowding to her shores from oppressed Continental Europe. There are no " free grants " available for settlement nearer than 30 to 60 miles to the railroad, and although the land may be of good quality, of what good is the land to the settler if it costs half the value of tie crop to get it to market? — that is, supposing he is fortunate enough to harvest his crop, for it often happens that an early frost will destroy his chances of a harvest, and leave him wondering what he will do to weather through a six months' winter, so severe that fruit trees will not produce fruit, and are often killed outright by the oold. I was down on the C.P.R. wharf watching the departure of one of the All Red liners. There were some New Zealanders and Australians returning by her. I chanced to get into conversation with one of these — a New Zealander, — and I vas informed that although he and his mate had travelled for nearly six months looking for land to settle upon, he had decided to return to New Zealand, where there were all the elements and opportunities for success in farming, even, in his opinion, furpassing Canadian lands he had inspected. He concluded his description of places and of districts visited with the declaration of the pitiable condition of many of the s -ttlers of the far north-west. Undoubtedly the best settlers for Canada in th© northwest are the Russian Finns, Swedes, Pok-s. Russian Jews, Doukabours, Galicians, etc. These people never before experienced s-ueh freedom, from oppression until they breathed Canadian atmosphere. To these the f-ce grant of 160 acres conies as a "boon and a blessing."

Recently there came to Vancouver a aumber of farmers from Manitoba. Ihe

most of them have sold their farms with the intention of settling in British Columlvfi on account of its milder climate. Some intend settling in the Okanagan Valley and others in the Kootenay district. One farmer has bought a largo farm at Lulu Island, at the mouth of the Frazer River. They all stated their appreciation of the climate of British Columbia, and one stated that he wished he had come years ago. You have read of what a delightful climate Canada is alleged to possess, yet it is difficult to persuade an old Winnipeg resident to go back home <dtcr he or she once settles in British Columbia

This brings me to British Columbia. A great traveller once described British Columbia as a "sea of mountains." This keen observer was not far wrong in his brief summary, for one-fortieth of the total area of British Columbia is all that is available for agricultural settlement or pastoral occupation. The remaining thirty-nine-fortieths is a marvellous grouping and linking of mountain ranges and peaks. There is some fine land in British Columbia, but it is locked up in the mountain fastnesses or situated in almost inaccessible valleys, and, on account of the great lack of railway communication or other means of transport, it is useless for occupation or settlement. Land in the Okanagon Valley is up to £40 an acre now. In the Frazer River Valley it can be obtained at £4 to £5 per acre (en the Langlev, Sumus, and Matsqui lands). Langley is the nearest — 32 miles from Vancouver and 20 milos from New Westminster. I felt somewhat inclined to favourably consider an oiler I had for the purchase of a farm. But one day I met an old resident of that district who was a farmer, and his replies to my questions dispelled all thoughts of an investment. He informed me that if I would only grow grass (Timothy) for hay, etc., a bit of stuff for the raising of cattle, pigs, etc., that, together with poultry and some fruit-growing. I should b& successful. He explained that the best (land) were the " bottom lands " (contiguous to the river), and that to attempt anything like the usual crops that a farmer would export to work on his land was not advisable, as tho summers on the prairies were nsuaily dry — even last summer there was what ihev called "a drought," because no rain fell for about a month. I was informed that the "bottom lands" are of first-class soil, but the trouble to be met is the Fraspr River. In the spring — May and June, — when the snows nw?li. the river is subj-ecfc to a heavy fresh. If May comes in hot. the snows melt rapidly, and all the low lands are flooded, and the rest is soon told for the crops on the "bottom lands"' are swept to sea. For the whole of the 740 miles of its course the Fraser has a fa^t current (as usual with Pacific Coast rivers). The Lower Fras-ei- Valley possesses very fine land and good facilities for markotino'Land is about £35 to £40 per acre, but one must stick to dairying and the raising of pigs, poultry, cattle, and hay. Of course, the Kamloops, Kootenay, and Yale districts are possessed of fine climate, soil, etc., but irrigation is necessary to ensure successful farming operations. Therefore it comes back to the start of all enterprises. A man requires capital, especially when a tenm of horses cost £60, a cow £12 to £15, and pigs are pro rata. Uncleared land can bo purchased at £1 to £2 per acre, but it costs £30 to £40 per acre for clearing, thus adding to the cost of the land before a cr.>p can be put in. I asked a farm-er working a farm in the Fraser Valley, "How could anyone expect to make enough out of a farm to pay costs of production and interest on capital sunk in land and farm implements, etc.?" His reply was a "staggerer." "Oh, you must not thmk about the capital you have put into the land • that is all gone .'" '