WHO WANTS MONEY?

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 108, 27 October 1911, Page 4

WHO WANTS MONEY?

Mr. A. W. Rutherford, e.v-M.P. for Ilurnnui, who is a particularly large landowner and capitalist, recently pathetically remarked to a southern audience that capitalists are not wanted in' New Zealand. Mr. Rutherford is not' ft pessimist. In fact, he is one of the cheeriest, most generous men in this country, and doesn't growl for the pleasure it gives him. He spoke about the restrictions imposed in the Old' Country on possible emigrants to this country, which is "hungry for good men." It will be held by many people that Mr. Rutherford in suggesting the attraction of both capitalist and worker from overseas is one of those persons who was referred to by an avid Christchurch i Socialist the other day as "a capitalistic' snake in the grass, hiding behind a tree to seize the widow's orphan child." (Loud applause.) We do' not believe that the people of this country become deliberately angry when British capital comes to this country, lior will we say that there would be a riot if a few millionaire concerns entered into great businesses in New Zealand. The care exercised in keeping the flow of immigrants at a small trickle gives gentlemen like Mr. Rutherford a. chance to suggest that the policy is handicapping progress and settlement. We may be able to induce settlement without the capitalist, but we don't get to work so suddenly as the hated capitalist would do if he were given a greater chance. Whether he . wants the chance is another matter. He seems to be pouring his money into Canada and the Argentine, Brazil, South Africa, and all sorts of obscure places that have not nearly so many Acts on their iStatute Books as we have—and the flood of emigration follows the dollars. Mr. J. C. Reid, who lately came to Auckland after a tour of the world, told a, reporter that English investors were impressed with the vast possibilities of Canada, and he met a great many wellknown British financiers in the Dominion busy making personal acquaintance with the country which was attracting their attention financially. It is to be sincerely hoped that if anyone observes any English financier endeavoring to land in this Dominion he will inform the Society for the Prevention of Progress, and get them sent back to London in chains.