AS OTHERS SEE US.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1486, 18 February 1887, Page 2

AS OTHERS SEE US.

A special telegram ia to-day's Lyttelton Times sayß :- Mr Hodgl< in, agent for he Emigration Bureau, has left Auckland by the as. Tarawera for Sydney. Prior to hia departure he was interviewed by a Star reporter, who obtained from r>im the general conclusion he had arrived at with respect to New Zealand as a field for settlement and immigration. He is highly impressed with the advantages held out by Mr Ballance's village settlement scheme for the acquisition of holdings, but feel* that m vievr of the depression onder which the colony is languishing, it would be altogether unwise to recommend parties— either of mechanics or agriculturists — to come here m the hope of at once making a profitable live lihood. He finds that the labor market ia unpromising ; and while he believes that settlers bringing with them some little capital might individually succeed, he perceives no specially favorable circnmetances to, tempt the organisation of special setilement parties. At present, dullness pervades all branches of manufacturing and agricultural industries, and if any difference exists m these respeats between Auckland and thereat of the colony, he does not believe the difference is m Auckland's favor. At tbe same time he regards tbe lirge holdings m the South Island as a drad considerable upon progress and prosperity. He is greatly surprised at the legalisation of the tota'.isator, and he is struck by the an may of very large amounts being forthcoming from the artisan clusses for investment upon it whle money is scarce, employment precarious, and times hard.