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The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Wellington Provincial District]

To Friends Across The Sea

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To Friends Across The Sea.

New Zealand is one of the best favoured countries in the world. In the very centre of the South Temperate Zone covering a latitudinal stretch of nearly thirteen degrees, its extremes of heat and cold moderated by its four thousand miles of seaboard, it is questionable whether any other portion of the earth's surface is by nature so suited to the needs of the emigrating population of the Old World. The wonderful fertility of its soil, the beauty of its scenery, the political and social liberty of its people, the improved physique of each succeeding generation, and the millions of acres of uncultivated, yet cultivable, land—all speak for New Zealand a resplendent future. When its Government—already the most progressive, if not the farthest advanced, in the world—solves for ever the unemployed difficulty, by settling the idle men on the idle land, New Zealand will progress with the “leaps and bounds” that have long been talked about, but not yet seen.

Meanwhile, however, it is not advisable that those who have only their labour to bring with them should come in great numbers to this “Britain of the South.” The compilers of the Cyclopedia wish it were otherwise; they ardently wish that they might honestly advise all those thrown out of employment at the Antipodes to try their future in this fair land, relying upon their labour being in demand on arrival. It is true, as will be apparent in these pages, that thousands of now prosperous colonists have begun life in New Zealand with neither money nor special knowledge; and the same thing may still be done by men and women who have a natural aptitude for “getting on in the world;” but, for those who are dependent upon others for employment and guidance, New Zealand cannot be said to offer superior attractions. Nor is it true that employers of labour in a general sense represent the class which New Zealand can welcome with open arms, for there are proportionatelly too many of them already. It cannot be too plainly understood that the only class who need have no hesitation in coming to these shores are those who can bring with them the means of purchasing or taking up land, and are not afraid of hard work. The climate is excellent and the soil rich; and families with moderate desires can grow almost everything they need, while the produce they are able to sell returns them a good interest on capital invested, and fair wages in exchange for their labour. All the time their land is steadily rising in value. Reasonably speaking, there is no limit to the number of this class of immigrants who might come to New Zealand, and do well.

If it were not for the extraordinary fertility of the soil, the country population would be quite unequal to the support of so many and such large towns. Even old and well-settled townspeople are now going into the country, page 6 having realised that there are too many trying to do the trade of the Colony, and not a sufficient number winning their bread in the most honourable of all ways—direct from Mother Earth. In former days the hardships endured by the pastoral and agricultural classes were very great; but now everything is changed. The native difficulty is settled for ever; roads, railways, and steamships have taken the place of Maori tracks and war canoes; newspapers are printed now, and thriving townships have sprung up where, less than ten years ago, the silence of dense forest reigned supreme. Country life now is in no way comparable to country life of forty years ago. Townspeople who have gone on to the land are loud in their praises of the freedom from worry and all the conventionalities of town life. A great deal has been done of late years to make it easy for the people to get on the land; and the results have been most beneficial. State farms (described hereafter) have been established, and generally the Government has done a good deal in the interests of those least able to look after themselves. Whatever New Zealand is to be for the idle capitalist, there can be little doubt that it will soon be a really grand country for honest workers of every kind.

The proprietors of The Cyclopedia Of New Zealand will at all times be glad to answer questions from intending immigrants as to their chances of succeeding, or as to the best parts of the Colony for their selection. They have necessarily a very minute acquaintance with the subject, and the very greatest care will be taken to state the case with absolute fairness.

Office of The Cyclopedia Of New Zealand,
Customhouse Quay, Wellington, New Zealand.

Photo. by Mr. Geo. Crichton. Maori Bend, Upper Hutt.

Photo. by Mr. Geo. Crichton.
Maori Bend, Upper Hutt.