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The Pamphlet Collection of Sir Robert Stout: Volume 62

The Class we Want

The Class we Want.

Perhaps you are inclined to ask me—"Well, do you want any class at all in your beautiful country?" I reply as I have generally hinted in my remarks, we require one class principally, and that is the farming class, or those who are prepared and qualified to take up and carry on the work of settlers. We have abundant scope for millions of this class, who, provided systematic and well directed energy be coupled with moderate means, may attain positions of independence, if not of affluence. Good ploughmen and agriculturists, skilled bushmen, and, in fact, even any artisans who can and will adapt themselves to a country life, may find abundance of employment, and if they prove careful and economical, may speedily find ways and means of carving out a home for themselves in the wilderness. Many instances have come under my knowledge where men of sterling stuff page 40 have arrived in the country, and though entirely without money, even to the extent of 5s. on landing, have taken the first job that offered, and in a very short time by frugality and hard work have attained the position of a "cockatoo" farmer—one having a small holding of land, well fenced and cultivated, with comfortable (if rude) homestead, and possessing cows, pigs, fowls, and perhaps a couple of good horses, and being entirely free and independent of anybody. Colonial experience is, of course, necessary to success, but some are so apt at taking hints and weigh every move so carefully, that they adapt the best experience of others and thus succeed early. It has very often been found a wise step for a family to send out a pioneer to gain experience, and thus pave the way for a speedy removal of the entire family. I would be sorry to be the means of anyone taking a false step, hence I have been most careful to guard myself against any over-colouring of the prospects of settling in New Zealand and I could not advise anyone who is doing well for himself and those dependent upon him to break up a home and leave for a land of strangers. My advice would be rather, Let well alone.

Sometimes, however, there are instances when the question becomes a burning one. What shall we do with our boys? You feel as my father felt twenty-five years ago, when he could not find a position for his son (on whose education he had spent much money) that would bring in £100 per year. And having educated your boys, perphaps for mercantile pursuits, you find any decent opening hard to obtain, and you shrink from putting them to anything considered menial. Well, what is to be done? I point you to the land; that is the source of all wealth, and when God placed Adam in a garden he bid him subdue the earth. From the land must be won all increase. So I say, in answer to the question about the lads, let them learn to look to mother earth, let them be adapted to produce from the soil sufficient for the support of themselves, and those who may some day be dependent on them, and a surplus for someone else. Thus will they be fitted for the life for which God has made them. And nowhere in the world will be found a sunnier land and a more grateful soil than in the Britain of the South. And let it not be supposed that a settler's life is dishonourable; there is nothing disgraceful in cultivating a garden, tending cattle and sheep, ploughing, sowing, and reaping. I page 41 would uphold the dignity of labour, and never have I more thoroughly enjoyed my food and my rest, than when well tired by such healthful work as is necessary on a farm.

There is another class that will be welcome, and even in our towns, and that is the class of domestic servants. A girl does not usually remain in service more than four to five years after arrival in the colony, because it seems to be the fashion for some man or other to marry her. Hence there is a constantly recurring need for good general servants, who can command excellent wages, which amount to from 8s. to 15s. per week with board, while laundresses can command as high as 25s. with board, in some parts, and cooks varying rates from 10s. to 45s.

There are large numbers of people with small incomes in this land, many of them with families, and some of them with delicate health. Many such would do a wise thing to emigrate to New Zealand, where they could settle down with great advantage to themselves, both pecuniarily in relation to their children, and particularly as to their health; and as health is surely all important, here is a strong inducement. In many of our small towns great inducements would be found in the matter of cheap houses, with garden ground attached. In every settlement our National Schools are planted, so that advantages are obtainable also for the young. Then there is the future of children to be considered, and in a new country there are many chances.