ON THE LAND.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXIII, Issue 9097, 17 March 1908, Page 2

ON THE LAND.

la an article on the proper method of attracting immigrants to this country the Press writes : The great mass of the people interested in what other people are doing, and a mere statement of the conditions that enable a man to raise himself from the position of a farm labourer to that of a prosperous farmer would be infinitely less valuable than an account of how this roan or that has actually done it. Canada has benefited very largely, we are convinced, from this sort of thing, and there is no reason why New Zealand should not reap equal advantage from the experiences of those who ave prospered here. The evidence given before the Conciliation Board, during the hearing of the farm labourers’ dispute, has revealed many cases of farm hands becoming the architects of their own fortunes. A typical case of this kind is that of the witness who told such au interesting story at Rangiora. Briefly, the witness came out to New Zealand five years ago, at the age of twentyfour, having had fifteen months’ experience of farming in England. Previous to that he had been for four years in the British postal service, no very good training, one would imagine, for farm work in ' New Zealand. He began work here as a farm hand at 17s 6d per week, %vith hoard and lodging provided, and now, apparently by his own unaided exertions and industry, _he is farming 190 acres of laud, which he is gradually making his own, and is employing three men. It is a good record for five years’ if it' had happened in Canada, tens of thousands of people in _ the Old Country would have had it brought under their notice. As a “human document,” it has au interest for all of us; as a proof of what can he done by strong arms and a stout heart in Canterbury to-day, it should bo invaluable to the Advancement Association, and we hope that they will make good use of it in their coming campaign.