THE OTHER SIDE OF THE STORY.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1862, 23 September 1913, Page 4

THE OTHER SIDE OF THE STORY.

Sir, —In reply to the letter signed "Kentish Man" in your issue of Saturday, let mo give for his benefit the other side of the question concerning tho lack of employment for newcomers from the Old Country. Ten years ago my wife and I arrived here, not knowing a soiil, no recommendations, and without any experience in manual or farm work. Myself (then 44 years old) had been a commercial traveller for a largo wholesale house in Manchester. Our stock of money amounted to about £5, perhaps less. I did a week or two in Christchurch and Wellington, got three days in the freezing chambers carrying frozen mutton until my shoulders got too soro, and then thought it was time to be making more money by some means or other, so I decided to leave tho big cities alone and try the country districts. I obtained the first billet L applied for, viz., as married couple oil a sheep station, and although I know absolutely nothing. about the work, still, by perseverance and keeping my oj*os open, I quickly picked lip all tho boss required of me, and in six months could command £120 a year and all found! besides living 'a healthy frco life in a glorious'country. Certainly I had to work fairly hard and sometimes up c't 2 and 3 o'clock in the morning, but What of that? I am no worse for it. Fancy me, a commercial traveller, wearing a frock coat and silk ljat at Homo and now cow-spanking, killing sheep, draining—anything that comes along; it's all work. It costs mo next to nothing for dress and I ('an save tho best cart of my wages. My wifo has very littlo more to' do than if she was managing lior own homo, and no worries. . If this letter will only put a little hope and/ encouragement into your correspondent I should bo very pleased. —I am, etc., LANCASHIRE MAN.