Exodus from Victoria.

Manawatu Herald, 22 August 1903, Page 3

Exodus from Victoria.

A Melbourne newspaper reporter

interviewed some of the emigrants

on board on* of the great steamships departing for South Africa, and cross-examined them as to the reasons of their flight. Here are some of the explanations offered: “** Why g,m - I going to South Africa ? ” said a man whor bore the stamp of an artisan. “lam going to South Africa because I think that there I will find some scope for myself. Here I can earn a living, but only a bare living. There I may be able to do more. I mfty be able to get a business of my own. Here I can’t. There is something wrong with this place. What it is I cannot say. Of course the drought has done much to cripple us, but I think there is something more. The people seem to have lost their enterprise. Everyone hangs on to all the money he can get, and no one will spend a penny in building or anything else that he can help. I think the place is all right and I’m sorry to leave it, but while the people, !* 1 general think the ship is sinking and are scuttling from it like rats—-well, I can’t help myself. I'm id'with the front rats, that’s all. uj am going'to Africa,” another said, .** because I am sick of working day after day and week after week for a mere wage. A friend of mine who WM in the war tells me there, are lifeaudexcitement and 'chances over there;, and I’m going to have a shot for them. A gilder with .lots of money was joinidk the throng “ because no one in Victoria seeded to want to build now, everyone< being content to potter along like timorous people, wtarhadall the soul whipped out of them. 9 *