MR BRANDS’S LETTER

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18453, 2 May 1928, Page 5

MR BRANDS’S LETTER

To the Editor, Sir,—Might I also express an opinion on Mr Brands's article. Being a Homie myself I think he has done a service to the Home people, and New Zealand as well. He certainly has exaggerated the trouble in New Zealand, but it is only doing what the Governments are doing the other way. When I came away in January, 1925, New Zealand was certainly boosted to be flowing with milk and honey. The labour exchanges were placarded up with it, and the newspapers. The only people who were trying to stop emigration were the Labour Party, and the only paper to publish against it the “ Daily Herald',” so what was there to warn the Homies that they were going to take someone else’s job away? I was told by one of the local Labour Party that there was unemployment here, and that they were trying to stop the emigration. I laughed at him, and asked him why the exchanges said thousands were wanted here; only to find on arrival what he said was true. I have always been lucky in work, and left a good job at Home, but have never regretted it, for I have still kept lucky, and I think this is one of the best countries in the world for the working man; but there are so many come out and do not get a start, and when they do the colonials get put off to make room for them, which, in my opinion, is to keep the Homie from writing Home and squealing. While on this subject Mr Brands says: “The assisted immigrant is guaranteed work for a year.” How many times have \ had that thrown in my face in Christchurch, and yet I heard nothing of it when I came out, and walked every nook of the town for three days before getting a job. Several people I know have come out since, and have searched for a fortnight. How then the guaranteed jobs? As to food prices, I certainly find them much cheaper here than in the south of England. But bread is dearer here—also coal.

As you see, I am not a disgruntled Homie, but am very well satisfied with this country, but it is very unfair to both sides this booming of New Zealand, when there are people starving here. As for the New Zealanders, I formed a good opinion of them when I first met them, which was in the New Zealand Hospital at Port Said, and I still hold to that opinion. In closing I wish to thank you for your correspondence column, which I always find interesting, although I have never written before. Hoping I have not taken too much of vour valuable space.—l am, etc:, ' HOMIE.