ENGLISH IMMIGRANTS

Waikato Times, Volume 94, Issue 14775, 14 October 1921, Page 2

ENGLISH IMMIGRANTS

"SURE OF SUCCESS."

IP’ GIVEN A FAIR CHANGE,

ENGLAND'S HEAVY BURDEN

“I have every hope for the future,” said one of the latest batch of immigrants from England iu a New Zealand Times reporter, who was seeking information as to what prospects Hie new arrivals had. as to the future.

”1 think I am speaking on behalf ot Hie majority of the men—and women, 100, for that matter —when 1 say that wo arc confident of success if we are given a fair chance. By a fair chance 1 mean that I hope we will be put on the same level as other men and women in uiir sphere of life, and that our positions will not be prejudiced in any way because we happen to no ‘new chums.’ ”

‘‘Ten Times Setter than England." ”1 am quite prepared to believe that New Zealand is not as prosperous as it has been,” he continued, “but goouncss, you ought to be in England! They are up against il all right, end after the war, too. Bad and all as it may be in New Zealand, it is ten times belter Ilian England.

"Yes, they appear to be getting the worst of Hie war’s aftermath.

“The position appears lo he this: 1 suppose something like twelve million people were taken from Hie United Kingdom during the war period, while several million were engaged in work connected with the war. The lighting men received Hie lowest wage of all; the munition and other workers received wages they had never dreamt of in Hieir lives. They spent (heir money freely—loo freely—and while one crowd had too much money another sect ion had too little. Prices jumped everywhere, and as the wages gradually rose the cost of living increased to such an extent that a poor man could scarcely live. Even the wealthy ai’e staggering under the taxation, and some of the oldest places in Englann arc going under the hammer. It seems a shame, too, but there appears Lo be no other way out.” It’s Cruel Just Now," “Is there much unemployment now; is it not decreasingV” was asked. "I say!"—he turned to a companion who had been listening to, but apparently taking little interest in, the remarks of his fellow-passenger. ”l say, Tom, he wants (o know if there’s much unemployment in the old dart ’” "Not ’arf, there'ain’t; not as we know of it? Lord, but it’s cruel just now. You know, cruel for the women and the kiddies, and, those who can’t help themselves. They’re sending money to Hie help of the Russians, wno brought their I rouble on themselves, and passing over thousands of good Britishers who are in a desperate slate, but who don't squeak.” ‘‘Well, we neednT worry about that side of Hie case,” resumed Hie first speaker. "People have the right lo do what they like with I heir own money and it would perhaps he all right if Hie people for whom the money and food are intended —-Hie sick, the maimed, and the hungry women and children —got il; but before we left Horne it was published broadcast that as soon as foolstulTs were landed they were looted and got Into the hands of Ihc very people they were never intended for. There is a growing feeling in the Old Country that England has done enough for Hie outside world, and that she should drop it and confine herself lo looking after her own people. It isn’t selfish to say that charity should begin at home." Wanted: A Fair Chance. "Well, that’s all past and done with,” he added, “and thank God for it. Here we arc at the other end of the globe, and amongst Britishers, l know we may not be popular with a section who resent our coming because they see more competition in the labour market: but if (hey knew Hie conditions at Home (hey would not blame us, but rather welcome us, as relieving the position al Home, “I tell you, Groat Britain had a hard time of it in helping to win the war—carrying the heaviest burden in every way—and she Is having just as hard a time now. She wants all Hie help she can get. All we want is to be allowed to work and keep our wives and children. And if we can't do il in one part of the British Empire we surely will be helped In do II -In another. All we ask for is a fair chance."