We Do Not Repent having Left our Native Land.
“In order to clearly show what a Russian’s opinion of Queensland is, I will now give a few extracts from a letter written by a Mr. Godalov, of Canungra, South Coast line, dated 24th February, 1911, and published in certain Russian newspapers:—’... and so I am to be congratulated; 160 acres of superb land, with a healthy beautiful climate, within 30 miles of the sea, at an elevation of 3,000 feet, and this for 32s. an acre and 20 years to pay it in. I consider it my duty to assure you that
We do not Repent ever having left our Native Land,
notwithstanding that my present social position is different to the one I occupied in Russia, and also notwithstanding the fact that the life here, too, is quite different to life in Russia; nevertheless, I have never yet thought that I came out here on a wild-goose chase (to say nothing of the children, who cry when we, jokingly, talk of returning to Russia), in spite of the fact that my actual income—at present—is smaller than it was in Russia, life here is in no case worse. The explanation makes this assertion obvious. I do not have to pay mad sums of money for the rent of my house, its heating, the educating and upbringing of my children, expensive warm clothing is unnecessary, there is no need for you to worry about to-morrow, and at last, but by no means leastly, for your own freedom and absolute liberty. All this gives a deep reason why Russians should emigrate to Australia....’
“As previously stated, the above are extracts from Mr. Godalov’s open letter, he is well-known by the farmers of his district. Other characteristic cases are those of Messrs. Danilchenko and Ilyin, in North Queensland.
“I satisfy myself with mentioning just these few cases, but, of course, there are a good many other similar cases amongst the Russian colony in Queensland. I have taken the above cases at random, and think that they clearly illustrate that a good, honest, and energetic Russian agriculturist cannot find a country with more favourable conditions than those offered him by Queensland for applying his knowledge and labour to.
“In view of my having received a large number of inquiries as to the shortest space of time in which profit can be obtained from land still to be cleared, I, in the interests of intending emigrants, would like to give the following facts, which are based on my own experiences:—