A WEAVER'S WANTS.

Wanganui Chronicle, Issue 12856, 25 October 1912, Page 7

A WEAVER'S WANTS.

LETTER OF INQUIRY FROM A • MODEST BRITON.

SOME PERTINENT AND IMPERTINENT QUESTIONS.

A comparatively recent arrival from the Old Country recenitly sent from Wanganui to a number- of influential newspapers in England a series of articles giving his impressions of things colonial. By a recent mail he received more than 50 letters of inquiry from persons who have become interested in New Zealand as the result of reading one or other of his articles. For the most part the inquiries were of a reasonable and sensible character, and were sent by people. who are on the Icok-out for a new home in a new land. There wore, however, two or three extraordinary communications. Of these the following sample undoubtedly "takes the cake": Dear Sir, —Hoping you are well, as it leaves me at present. Will you please answer me the following questions :— (1) Am I justified in leaving my girl when, if w© marry, the two of us together can earn £2 5s a. week? (2) Do women do any work in New Zealand ? (3) What are the rates of pay for cotton weavers in New Zealand? (4) Should I decide to come out to New Zealand, would you mind advancing me the money? (0) As a fellow-townsman, proud of your countrymen, would you kindly •act as my host until such time as I get work ? Reply, please, by return of post. The writer of the letter is quite a stranger to the writer of tho articles, and the latter, when first ho read tho cool requests of his unknown correspondent, was at a loss to know whether to feel amused or offended. However, realising that tho correspondent was in sober earnest when he penned his inquiries to his fellow-townsman, tho receiver of the letter will probably reply somewhat to tho following effect: (1) No; bring her Avith you, especially if she's nice looking. She'll be abio to find a husband out here capable of earning i."3 or £4 a week "on his own," and you are sure to bo able to pick up £1 2s Gd a week (half of what both of you could earn together), even if it's only at stonebrcaking. Tho change will be good for the girl. (2) Occasionally, mostly between me.-.!?. (%) It depends what fthe cotiton weavers do. If they got into Parliament they knock out about £300 a year a?id a free rai'wav ticket. Jf tliev take, to wharf lumping, and keep at it regular, the pay pans out about tho same, minus the railway ticket. ■Should say there would be a chance for you as private secretary to tho vx-Primo Minister. He's a bit of a weaver himself, and he knows tho value of cheek. (1) Not at all—'7 T hnd it. Better try "uncle.'' Or. stny, "what's the. natter with father?" (•")) Try and catch z-ame boat ns Liverpool. He'll put- you up 1 couldn't do you justice.