Will you join us?
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| Sketch map, 1849 showing the site of the Canterbury settlement. |
What would it take for a person or a family to decide to give up one way of life for another on the other side of the world?
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Would it be what you wanted to leave behind?
Social and political change for the upper (rich), and lower (poor), classes as the middle class becomes more powerful…poor pay and dangerous working conditions for the lower class…crowded cities and living conditions…unemployment in rural areas…fast growing population may result in food shortages.
Or,
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Would it be promises of what lay waiting for you?
- Fertile soils…minerals…coal…timber and water power…excellence of climate…easy access to markets and good natural harbours. Glowing descriptions of plans for the Canterbury Settlement had been published by the Canterbury Association in late 1849, soon after the Association was formed. These were the wonderful qualities that the Canterbury Association said people could discover for themselves in New Zealand.
See also >>
Will you join us? | The plan | Greatness | Why here? | An ideal place | A better life | Who can go?