TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.

Cromwell Argus, Volume V, Issue 231, 14 April 1874, Page 5

TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.

[FItOM OUR. OWN CORRESPONDENT.]

DUNEDIN. Monday, 9.5 a.m. Mr Holloway, delegate from England on behalf of the Agricultural Farm Labourers’ Union, addressed a crowded meeting of the citizens on Friday evening, in the Masonic Hall, on the subject of “ His Impressions of this Province in reference to Immigration,” His Worship the Mayor toojc the chair, and introduced the speaker. Mr Holloway prefaced his remarks on the subject more immediately concerning the meeting by giving a short account of his own career. Until two years ago, when he had joined the Agricultural Labour Union, he had worked as farm labourer, and had done so from his childhood. He spoke at great length with reference to the hardships and privations which English labourers suffered. In Somerset, Dorset-, and Devonshire, previous, to the starting of the Union, agricultural labourers wenrgetting 7s. to Bs. a week ; in Gloucester, Berks, Buckinghamshire, and Oxford, 10s.; Warwickshire. 12s. or 135.; Lincolnshire, 165.; and in Yorkshire, 18s. Since the establishment of Ihe Union, wages in all these counties had risen 2s. or 3s. a week. The Union had also assisted large numbers to emigrate to Queensland, New Zealand, Canada, and America. The delegates from the Union who had been sent to Canada and Queensland had been cordially received and assisted by the respective Governments of those countries, and the result was that large numbers had emigrated there. Mr Holloway then testified to the kindly welcome he himself had received from the Superintendent and people of Otago. _ He was struck, on his arrival, with the evident freedom and independence of Colonial life, and appearances generally betokened comfort and freedom among the working classes. On his travels through the Province, he was surprised at the sparseness of the population. All the country wanted, he considered, was an influx of immigrants, and the proper administration of the land laws, to make it

prosperous. Everywhere, he had been met with the cry of scarcity of hands. There was no comparison between the condition of the labouring class here and at home. Mr Holloway then referred to the land laws of the Province. He depreciated the hundreds system, and the plan of allowing large blocks to be purchased by one person. The deferred payment svstem he considered an excellent one, and if the Government would give an assurance that this would be freely carried out and liberal provision made for settlement on the land, he could conscientiously go home, and do his utmost to induce emigration to the Colony. After a large number of questions had been answered by Mr Holloway, A motion, proposed by Mr J. P. Armstrong, ex M.P.C., thanking Mr Holloway for his address, and also thanking the inhabitants of Roxburgh for having been the means of directing much attention to our land laws, was carried unanimously.

Monday, 1.20 p.m. The Otago arrived at the Bluff at 12.30 yesterday, with the English mails. London, March 30. A baronetcy has been conferred on General Wolsely, and he has been granted a pension. He has also received the thanks of both Houses of Parliament for services rendered against the Ashantees. April 1. The revenue, for the year amounts to £76,500,000, exceeding the estimate by £2,750,000. Disraeli promised to consider the suggestion as to the burial of Livingstone’s remains in Westminster Abbey at the public expense. The escape of Rochefort and others has caused great surprise in France. It appears they were allowed to go on a fishing expedition, and got on board the barque P.0.E., on which they remained stowed away until clear of land. They intend to proceed to England immediately.