(12) It was decided by this meeting to deliver to Verigin flour
mill all wheat in excess of amount reserved for the purpose of grinding
and selling the flour. Prices on wheat were set as follows: For
highest-grade 85¢ per bushel, and for second grade 80¢
per bushel. The villages situated at the north colony will receive
for long hauling 10¢ per bushel extra, and villages Tambovkia,
Trudohubivoe, Vossianie, and Petrovo and Voskresinie 5¢ per
bushel extra.
(13) The question was raised before the meeting
regard to the immigration to British Columbia. It was definitely
shown that in Saskatchewan where the Doukhobors live at present,
in consequences of wide prairies lying a considerable distance from
the sea, the climate in winter is very dry and cold, the temperature
is often over 30 degrees Reaumur, and therefore some sickness prevails,
such as bad coughs and rheumatism. Immigration to British Columbia
was decided as most necessary.
A particular report of the British Columbia
climate was submitted by Peter V. Verigin and by Nicholas
Ziboroff, delegates from British Columbia. The first party
of community Doukhobors immigrated to British Columbia for
the purpose of starting works, and has been living there for
two years. They have found the climate exceedingly mild in
winter: temperatures not being over 15 degrees Reaumur. This
occurs about ten times during all the winter, but generally,
the temperature is 3, 5 and 7 degrees below zero Reaumur,
and sometimes 2, 3 and 7 degrees above zero Reaumur.
In consequence of the mountains, the water
for drinking is very pure, and the air also very clear and
healthy. The reporter, Peter Verigin, is under the impression
that the air and waters are similar to those in Switzerland
in nature, and even much more healthy. Therefore, with the
view to become healthier, immigration to British Columbia
has been decided on possibly sooner than intended.
In British Columbia it is possible to grow
fruits of nearly all kinds: apples, pears, plums, cherries,
etc. Small. fruits and vegetables are grown wonderfully good.
The community has already bought about ten thousand acres
of fruit lands. There is splendid timber on it for building
purposes.
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Toward the close of the meeting
there were several conversations in regard to the necessity
of the moral enlightenment of the Doukhobors as a Christian
Community of the Universal Brotherhood. As already stated,
God is universally good, and consequently his followers also
must be good, which is their superior degree of nobleness
and enlightenment. Such followers of spiritual necessity must
not be blood-thirsty, and therefore their food must not be
slaughterous. A person whose object is to be pure in spirit,
must also be anxious about cleanliness of his body, as for
instance, all houses as far as possible clean, especially
in living rooms the air always must be as like as possible
to the outside air, which is given by the Lord for the nourishing
of all people and animal. We deem necessary the water in every
village must be kept in clean wells. It is also necessary
that every well must be laid round inside with stones or brick,
and good pumps installed. |
The meeting continued four days. It was open every
day for eight hours.
With sincere wishes for every success from the
Lord in their future life and with greeting to all brothers and
sisters in every village, the meeting was brought to a close.
S. Reibin,
Ex-Secretary to Doukhobor Community.
Free Press, Winnipeg, March 1, 1910.
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