ASSISTED IMMIGRANTS.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1755, 21 May 1913, Page 4

ASSISTED IMMIGRANTS.

Sir,—The general consensus of opinion iu Wellington seems to concur in the usefulness of the Government's latest appointment—that of Miss Agnes M'Lean as matron in ehargo of tho assisted immigrants on their arrival in New Zealand. Naturally, if the Government is spending money for a specific purpose, it is necessary that someone should bo appointed to take caro that thai purpose is served. But although nobody doubts the wisdom of tho step, yet it must be obvious that ono matron, however! capable, cannot do ilia work for the whole Dominion, and wo understand that further appointments of tho same sort arc to follow. Now, if Ibis is tho case, and others are wanted, I wish to make a suggestion. Can wo not prevail on the city ladies of tho leisure class to volunteer to do the work gratis? Must every service to our country bo paid for? "This particular work is for tho direct convenience and benefit of tho wealthier classes (the English domestic is always too expensive, n luxury for tho struggling woman with a large family, even when she can afford help of any sort). Cannot the members of the class -for whom the girls are intended be induced to do the work connected with them as a duty, and save the Government further expense. Probably it was wise to make one official appointment, as it carries with it a certain authority, but 1 propose that if others are wanted, a meeting of women should bo called, and the most suitable elected. A noted American, in giving his impressions of England, remarks on the very large amount of public work which is executed free of. charge by Englishmen ami women of rank and wealth, lie even mentions Ibis disinterestedness as one of three outstanding differences between English social .life and that cf America. He says, "it is the centuriesold instinct of tho English to have faith in 'noblesse oblige' as a real factor in life." lie refers in this connection to the late Duke of Devonshire, who was shy and awkward, and found public, speaking a kind of torture,. and yet devoted his life quietly and unobtrusively to the execution of public duties. "He was." continues the writer, "typical of the class, which, numbering its thousands far less conspicuous than lie, d» the work ot England, bncaii.se they consider it n duty. When EPglaiul arrives at her .Pass of Thermopylae, this large class will' have

to bo reckoned with, olid I ventiiro to prophesy that there will not be even 0110 left to tell the news if things go against tliem."

There is an ideal to live up to. It, is an American fashion for the rich and distinguished to cut themselves off from (lie useful and political work of the country, and to devote themselves wholly to pleasure. It is a I'rench fashion to fly to the Government for a new Slate oiticial for every trifling necessity that arises. Hut we are English, and let us adhere to the Mother Country's best traditions and look to our' leisure class (I speak of wimpi—thero can hardly be said to be a leisure class of men) to give a part of their, time, when necessity arises, for the benefit of the community.—l am. etc., A WOMAN WITHOUT LEISURE.