The Wilmington morning star., 1946-06-09
An Important Letter

we have received in recent years ap-
pears elsewhere on this page today.
1t is from Mr.. Owen M. de Munnick,
resident of Amsterdam, Holland, and
member of a coordination OF $50 TAM
lilies, all willing to go anywhere for a
view of making a new start in life" His
inspiration came from al article by
Mayor W. Ronald Lane on Greater Will
mington in the Feb. 18th issue of the
Wilmington Star-News. We believe MIR.
de Munnick's communication most I'M
portant because it could well be the
beginning of a movement that may
eventually. affect the future of hum
dreds of Hollanders, as well as the
prosperity of our own community.
Because of it's civic Importance, it
is the type of inquiry that is best
answered openly. But our attempt to
satisfy the questions of Mr.. de Num-
nick will only be preliminary. The is
sue of colonization he raises is too COM
~prehensive for anyone to give a def
mite Eyes" or mo" at this stage. This
is simply an introduction, presented
the interested residents of Holland,
seeking a new life, and Wilmington
ians, always seeking a better one. Back
of it, however, is the sincere hope that
it will be the first move toward estab-
Iishment of a new Dutch conoly in
Southeastern North Carolina. or en-
Iargement of the present nearby set
Elements of these fine people.
First, for Mr.. de Munnick, some
background.
The first effort at colonization was
made by Mr.. Hugh MacRae, prominent
Wilmington ag~riculturist, near here in
about 1908. 1t was not limited to citi-
zens of your country but other Euro
peans, practically all farmers desiring
a new opportunity in the new world. 1t
based on the policy of making high
productive land available through
long-term financing to industrious peo-
pie. Since the beginning, there has been
no RECOMMENDATION but rather encour-
agement of the spirit of independence
the part of the Individual.
We cannot tell you that the life Of
early settlers was easy. 1t wasn't.
The life of a pioneer never is, whether
he is clearing new fields in his own
country, such as ours, or an immigrant
another land. Some of these Dutch
families later moved away, others stay
ed and today there are an estimated so
families, all engaged in the produce,
and bulb and dairy business in
the communities of Castle Haynes, st.
Van Eeden or Individually
nearer Wilmington. All own their homes
and land, are successful and prosper
Gus by the highest American stand
ards.
We consider them among our best
citizens and their achievements are an
to any group, from your
country or elsewhere, in planning to
carve out a new and secure life.
What is the secret of their success?
Work, intelligently directed, hard
work.
Before writing this, we talked with
one of their leaders, asked him what
opportunity there would be for you
here. He replied: There is always an
opportunity for anyone in the United
States who is willing to work"
Now, what could you expect here?
In land, the soil of Southeastern
North Carolina ranges from pure sand
to the richest loan. It is especially
suitable for truck crops, flowers and
legumes, the latter the basis for uc-
cessful dairy farming. The climate is
is not ali opinion but based on
fact-the best in the south for year
around production. Whereas the cost
OF clearing and draining an acre was
formerly at least $50, today it averages
$3.50, through use of bulldozers and
MI q