EXODUS-AND WHY.

West Coast Times, 26 June 1912, Page 3

EXODUS-AND WHY.

BAD LAND LAWS AND LABOUR TYRANNY.

THEY LIKE NEW ZEALAND, BUT—“STRIKES, STRIKES, AND MORE STRIKES.” AUCKLAND, Juno IS. “Too many strikes,” that was tho cry of the hundred or more skilled artisans on board the steamer Mahcno, which sailed for Sydney last night. Carpenters,, painters, engineers—indeed all trades seemed to bo represented. New Zealand they liked; the union ideal they supported; but fir the Federation of Labour and its methods they had nothing but scorn. “.I have had twenty-five years of it,” said a fine, upstanding man. “Enjoyed it too,” bo declared with emphasis; “hut not in these days.” He concluded with a shako of Ids head.

“Why?” asked a “Herald” repor-

“Strikes, strikes, and more strikes,” was tho answer.

I thought you believed in sucli things?

“So Ido in reason, but in New Zealand it seems we are eternally being called out to support other trades on the silliest pretexts.”

Is it not the same in Australia ? “No; before they order a general lock-out they use their brains, and they study our pockets.” You’re hard hit, then “Yes, I am—and married too. I tell you that if I was assured of a steady job, 1 would throw over the labour ticket idea for good,” ho said, turning off into the crowd of disappointed artisans, minors, and splendid looking agriculturists, who wore taking their leave of the Dominion. CAN’T GET LAND. “ Bound for Australia ?” asked the reporter, turning to a well-knit, intelligent looking man, who was accompanied by his wife and child. “ Yes.” 1 ‘ Sorry ?’ ’ “Well, sorry and glad. It’s no good looking for laud here.” “ There is plenty in the north, isn’t UIC.IT ?” “ If you can get it.” “What about the ballot idea p” “ I’ve boon trying for seven years to get a section that way. It’s no use. Two years ago 1 loft my job on a daily farm and went to pick up a bit of hind. I saw a fine piece, and came down to Auckland to ballot for it. A*, immigrant not long out stepped ovei me. Ho was single too, and I’m married. I do not blame the men. !t’s the system.”

Then he proceeded to criticise the system of land setlement which at present prevails. “My father-in-law,” he continue!, “ had a farm near Raotihi, some 320 acres, which ho held for 15 years. To get to it he and his family had to go over a pig track with his goods and chattels on the horses’ backs. Ho and others pleaded for a better system of communication so as to get rid of their produce. It was no good, however, and so he is in Queensland now with 320 acres of good land, and I am going to join him.” “ Would you stay in New Zealand if you could get land it a reasonable rate ? ”

“Certainly I like the country and u:y wife is a New Zealander. I think that it is hard luck that honest people, willing to work the land, can’t ge>; it.” “Are there any more farmers leaving your district ? ” “Yes. I know, of four. One man had eight sons and three daughters. Three of the sons wore quite ready,to take up land of their own. The old man could not got it.” Many more had a similar story to tell The same condemnation of land laws and tyrannic labour rule. But all liked New Zealand.