NEW ZEALANDERS IN QUEENSLAND.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 3299, 18 August 1911, Page 2

NEW ZEALANDERS IN QUEENSLAND.

LARGE AREAS OF COUNTRY TAKEN UP. Mr. J. B. Coates, general manager of the National Bank of New Zealand, is at present on a visit to Australia. Asked' in regard to the state of affairs in Maoriland, Mr. Coates said that there was no depression as some people made out, and the Dominion was in as sound and healthy a condition as it ever had been. The number of arrivals ever departures in New South Wales was generally to be expected at- the time of the; year when shearers and freezing works employees came, from New Zealand in order to get in the season. These- figures would show in teh opposite direction later in the year. Apart from the drop in wool, which- had affected the values cf exports in New Zealand and Australia alike, the Dominion. was as prosperous as ever. A number of New Zealand la.ndowneis had taken up large areas of sheep country in Queensland, whilst othei s had bought- and sold again at a substantial profit. Mr Arnold Williams, one of the largest landowners in the North Island, was much struck with the- possibilities of the northern province, and had,- within the last lew weeks, taken up a big extent of country. and Mr. Acton. Adams, a big runholder in • Otago., was accompanying him (Mr. Coates) to Brisbane- on a similar mission. Other station-owners m New Zealand were looking to Queensland for properties, and a number had already secured holding there. Mr. Coates said that lie preferred not to deal with any questions affecting the financial business' of the Commonwealth or of New Zealand. He was making the present trip solely for the benefit of bis health. “And how are matters politically in the Dominion?” “Since Sir Joseph Ward has been away things have been very quiet. Sir James Carroll has. been acting m Insstead, and everything appears to- have gone on smoothly. The general elections are coming on at the end. of Hie year, and the Government will probably be again returned, that is, unless the baronetcy conferred upon Sir Joseph Ward makes a- difference, and he is viewed in a different light by the democratic electors of New Zealand.”