THE LAND OF PROMISE.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 15742, 6 February 1922, Page 5

THE LAND OF PROMISE.

STRUGGLING AGAINST ODDS. IMPRESSIONS OF QUEENSLAND. “The Queensland people,” said Mr. K L. Paterson, to a Hawke’s Bay Herald representative, "are the most hospitable I have ever met. Wherever a person goes the same friendly spirit exists, people being apparently eager to help not only strangers but their fellow people. Notwithstanding their great spirit of friendship, they are in a ter rible state owing to conditions unde, which they live. Not only have they to contend with heavy taxation, but the cost of living ii high, rents in mosl parts are exorbitant; and fanners an suffering from a slump. Cattle whici at one time would bring £l4 10s, art now being practically given away.” Mr Paterson considers, having studied window prices, etc., that the cost, o living in Sydney is 10 per cent, higher than in New Zealand, and in Queens land 15 per cent, higher. Farmers were not getting good prices for their land, pointed out Ml’, Paterson, when he re ferred to a large ranch, .which had cos' £11,500. In order to obtain water tin owner had io nore dovvp 3500. feet at ; cost of £1 per foot. The suppl.f at this depth, however, was 1,250,000 gal lon's a day. This owner, in order tc meet other engagements, was’ obliged t< sell, and for his large property, with 1000 head of cattle, ho received only £9500.. New Zealand farmers were undoubtedly in a bad way, hut they were not suffering nearly , so greatly at were the fawners of Queensland. Mr Paterson was very pinch impres sed with the harvesting operations or the Darling Downs. For , miles, and miles, as far ns the eye.could, see, then was just one desert ol wheat. lln wheat ,was backed on the held, and tin crop at Warwick yielded about 35 bushels to the acre. ‘ The country, said Mi Paterson, was a. veritable land of proih ise, if it were only governed properly. Mr Paterson. visited many towns in the north of Queensland, including Cairns,- where the present plague wliicli is causing many deaths, broke out. llu town is only three feet above sea level and in parts is very swampy. Deferring again to the - wheat yield, Mr Paterson said that equally great were the maize and lucerne crops. Ibis year was, perhaps, phenomenal, the yield being greater than for several years past, but taking everything into consideration, lie was of opinion thtu after all New Zealand was the safest and best place to live in. If there was safety of tenure in the country a per son could make money and very rapidly. Skipping generally was slack, com mented Mr Paterson, and large numbers of vessels were idle. In some circles it was feared that there would be another seamen’s strike owing .to the high cost of labor. It was estimated that in December there were 20.000 un employed in Brisbane.