Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1908-07-22

company ~ THIS government. The re-
maind-r are young artisans who have
enough TO get here but never enough
70 get back with-as a rule In Wis
eonsin | always considered myself. in
physique. runt among men, but here
am fully up 10 the average and can
!ook over the heads of the majority
Of the newly arrived assisted irnmi-
grants" ] have On several occasions
been at the wharf when one of the
ships, bringing immigrants, tied up
A portion would Land here, others re-
main on board TIL the ship reached
other parts of the dominion. To me
they seem to be an inferior Iot-phy-
sically, mentally, morally and financ-
tally. They are spoken of with con
tempt by the native born who call
them new chums." / was much inter
ested on one occasion, back in the
country, listening to discussion be-
tween two men, one elderly, the other
young native born, as to whether
there existed in England now, famil-
les equal TO those who came to this
country and Australia as pioneers.
The arrivals for year only exceed the
departures by a couple of thousand or
so 1t is very evident something is
wrong with the conditions here or
there would not be heard on all sides
/ such a unanimous expression of de-
sire TO get away. To those who are
influenced solely by climate this is a
very satisfactory country to live in,
/, or IL. those VINO came into possess
ion of property some time ago and
are redping The benefits of the enor-
nous rents now prevailing.
Mr.. Bray says: This is the most
prosperous country in the world be-
cause it serves the best interests of
the masses" | quote from the lead
ing paper of this city:
Whichever way we turn when we
| consider prosperity we always come
down to the land, the source of ali
wealth, and the basis of all expansion.
If Auckland and other cities under
stood this better they would be keener
than they are to encourage the
/ settlement of the land and to remove
every uncalled for restriction which
hampers agricultural progress and
distresses the farmer"
A Mr.. Malcolm is thus quoted in
The Observer: 1T seemed to aim that
the government treated the farmers
WE'LL on the same principle that can
nibals fed their captives; they We're
good to them because they recognized
that they would get out of them all
they put into them.
1t is true the government is also
forcing the landlords to sell their
land to the government at prices fixed
by government tribunal In this way
the large estates are constantly be-
ing broken mp and again placed at the
disposal OF the people" But how,
and on what terms? All, there is the
rub. The majority of tracts so taken
are vast sheep runs and the govern,
ment appraisers value it at its carry
ing capacity. based on from $25 to $50
and in some cases up to $50 per sheep
per acre. Dairying land runs from SIS
to $3.50 per acre. 1t is true land can
be had for as low as $40 per acre
suitable for grass only, but il viii
cost from SO TO s35 per acre to gel
il into grass, and then it will run only
TWO seasons when ii must be re
ne@ed at a great cost This land IS a
mystery to me. There are tens of thous
ands of acres of It unoccupied, all
covered with a dense growth OF low
shrubs, ferns and vines, and LAYING
as nicely as any land in Vernon
county. l have asked the question doz
ems Of times. why such land so dense
ly covered with such a vigorous
growth, viii not grow something use
full to mankind? But the replies are ri
ways the same-it viii not. 1t seems
as soon as the wild growth is re
moved the soil sours, and to even ge
grass to grow fertilizers must De useC
very literally and continually, a. 81
great an expense as to make it un
: profitable. The estates comprisin.
lands classed as agricultural, are pu
upon the market in suitable sized sec
tions, called blocks here. after tn,
government has surveyed, plotted an,
advertised them The allotment Il
: done by ballot if more than one appli
cation is received for a section.
: have read of instances where Their
: were two or three hundred applica
tions for single section.
: One man relates some of his eN
: periences extending over a period o
r three months. He came here on aC
) count of his wife's health and pos
| sessed some capital, but was forced t
: depart again, being unucky at thes
drawings. He says: "As was await
r ing my fate. at a recent balloting,
: bystander remarked. 4 ought to stan
= a good chance; there are six of on
! family in for the block / want. Now
2 what hope has one got? / have bee
5 TO the expense OF going to see seYera
{ blocks before applying for them. an
! ! on one occasion a man in the neigh
+ horhood told me was only wastin
) my time going 10 see the land. Their
are so many in for each block Fl
5 said, If you get this block ] will civ
! yoa e100 on your bargain
E As soon as ! became aware If tht
E % my mind, enormous prices oTere
]. ITO the owners Of tn $50 vast tracts &