MENNONTTES IN MANITOBA.

Temuka Leader, Issue 709, 13 December 1881, Page 3

MENNONTTES IN MANITOBA.

Though the Mennpnites many virtues, amt make excellent settlors in a new country, they are yet far from being model citizens Their very virtues are not easily distinguishable from vices. They are as avaricious and niggardly as French peasant proprietors. They are morbidly suspicious of persons who do not belong to their body, and when dealing with strangers they drive bargains which are so hard as tc verge on sharp practices. To got money is their chief »un in life,,

and their whole enjoyment consists in laboring "or that object. Even the charity of iho Mennonites has its dark side. The poorer brethren are assisted by the richer, but the richer take care lest the pooier should be so well paid as to grow independent and make their own terms. Rich Mennonites are thoroughly con vinced of the advantage of employing cheap labor. Their astuteness as a community is sometimes carried far beyond permissible limits. I was present when the heads of one of their communities were taken to task for the following conduct :—ln common with others in the province, this municipality had received 4(0 dols. from the Provincial Government, to he applied to drainage. The grant was ted by the municipality in question, but nothing was done in draining the land. Unless each municipality did its duty, the effect of the work would be impaired. The result of the investigation was to show that the Mennonite mnnicipality had expended 75 dols. in buyin f two drainage ploughs, which were carefully stowed away, and had lent the rest at interest to a member of their own body. . . Every year the possibility of remaining a class apart is more difficult, owing to the increase of intercommunication. The present generation of Mennonites may practice all the exclusive rules to which they have been accustomed, and the ignorance of English will render it easier for them to resist any external influence which might cause them to modify or alter their views and habits. Their children will assuredly succumb to these influences They are learning English, and they will acquire ideas which must alter their mode of life. Moreover, the Mennonites are making money more rapidly than they ever did before, and the sons of rich parents may cease to labour with their hands as their forefathers have done for meliorations, —Newfoundland to Manitoba —Rae.