IMMIGRATION FROM BELGIUM

Manawatu Standard, Volume IV, Issue 36, 10 January 1884, Page 2

IMMIGRATION FROM BELGIUM

, „;, There i. ! a probability of emigration -to -New: Zealand setting m Ifro'in a hitherto .unexpected quarter. The little kingdom of -Belgium has long 1 been ! celebrated for the thrift amd industry of its people,, and the extent of its manufactures. It has-of late, however, been much oveopopulated, anil it is more _tl"in .probable that a not inconsiderable svrarni from that country will find its way here. A belter class of people could not 1)6 desired,* and as they n-0u1d,.; for the^piostTp.art, be possessed of sonit eapitalf ttheirr r adwnt here would be a benefit. to the country as, well as an tdyantagp; t0 .... themselves., A^ handobicof New Zealand, compiled by M. Rmile IJu^ Harven for the . ; . Koyal Society of Antwerp, has .recently been publisho<l. ( . It Is an exliaustive work' iipori the subject, and we should judge from descriptions of itsconte^nts fully equal, and probably superior," to any previously, published w'orkupon the same sutijccfc/ Enquiries werejnade of Sir Julius Yogel as to whether the, influx of a large body of foreigners riiight not be regarded, with suspicion and distrust by the inhabitants of this country,' and he at once replied that no such feeling need be antioipateel, Theraa'ttor has not yet

taken definite shape, but there seems to bo little doubt that the movement will bo earned successfully through, and that m course of time a body of sturdy and industrious Belgian families will be established on our shores. The advantage will be mutual. Belgium will be relieved of a superabundant population foi* vrhich she cannbt find room, and Ne % v Zealand will receive as an addition to her population a" class of people, who will be able to set many of ourselves an example of industry »nd pti* ;verance.