The Dunstan Times. FRIDAY, APRIL 5, 1872.

Dunstan Times, Issue 520, 5 April 1872, Page 2

The Dunstan Times.

FRIDAY, APRIL 5, 1872.

tßeneaththeßuleof MenES"rrnisr,T just the pen is mightier than the sword

The circular issued by the Minister for Public Works, suggesting (he expediency of allowing contractors to import Chinese labor to construct raihvaysandother public works; owing to the difficulty of inducing sufficient immigration to supply the demand ; and inviting from the Superintendents of the various Provinces, an expression of opinion therein, will, wo imagine, be replied to unanimously, in the same frank outspoken terms alI

reafiy usetl by the Superintendent of iSeltjak. “lam not prepared to rc- “ commend that any steps should bo “ taken for the introduction of Chinese labor into this province. I have “ come to this conclusion from the con- “ viction that, So far as an opening “ exists forthe employment of Chinese, “ in a manner profitable to the Colony “ and to themselves, experience tends “ to show that a quite suliicient influx ‘ of these people may ] he looked for “ without taking direct action for its “ encouragement.” The vexed question of Chinese in migration has already troubled the public mind sufficiently without its being made anew a source of more exasperating annoyance. From Otago a strong protest may weil be uttered. Not alone by the Superintendent, but by the united voice of the people } inasmuch as, here, more than in any other Province, experience has shewn that the Chinese element, if permitted to pi evail to any' perceptibly increased extent, will speedily become an unmitigated nuisance Thanks to the abortive results of the late Chinese Commission, there is no legislative enactment to prevent contractors negotiating with agents in Chinese ports to forward successive shiploads .of labourers, who, under their “ bosses,” would work upon terms similar to those now current among new chum Chinese miners, wherein, until ceitain liabilities for keep and passage money are discharged; little pay and long hours are the prominent articles of agreement. Advocates of the eight hour system have herein matter for reflection. On the question at issue, the voice of the entire European population will he united. For once the representatives of the people will have one common cause to do battle for; and neither the present nor any future Government would long survive the storm of indignation that w'ould follow the first introduction of Chinese labor on the Public Works of the Colony. It is not improbable that the replies of the Superintendents of Provinces, hacked by stronger' arguments in the Assembly, will have the effect of causing stringent stipulations to be embodied in contracts for Public Works, that Chinese, labor shah not be employed thereon. Still it will he most unwise not to remember that the circular referred to was, in all probability, issued under Governmental inspiration, and indicates that a very slight pretext will be deemed sufficient to put the machinery in motion for bringing a horde of Mongolians to New Zealand to perform works for which the European is now, and for years to come, will bo most heavily taxed ; and from which the working man lias an s ; indispensable * right to expect some retain in the shape of remunerative employment. The present government having taken out of the]hands of the Provinces the duty of promoting immigration, upon the plea that the initiation of Public Work and the peop’ing of the country, arejthe component and indivisible parts of one comprehensive scheme for the general good of the' Colony, to'bo controlled in all its details by one re sponsible governing body, and,’having also obtained]'vast sums of money, compared to the current revenue of the Colony, where with to carry into effect the mos'i elaborate plans of action, must alone bear the blame, if the first result is to "prove that the cardinal point of the scheme is unstable A steady flow of European population should have been first assured, before a single sod of our rail ways had been turned, or a single contract entered into. Without questioning the ultimate financial success of the schonie, or contemplating the disastrous effects which will'result from the profitless expenditure of even a tithe ]of the capital borrowed for Public Works, upon unproductive or ill advised undei takings— and of which there are already too many syniptons of impending dangei—the admission must be made that palpable and most censurable negligence Las been shewn. It seems utterly absurd to complain that Europeans can not be prevailed on to come to New Zealand. It would he more truthful, and infinitely more honest to at once admit that the defect lies in the inducements offered, aud at once devise some more tangible attractions. The Coleny wants peopling, but the twenty thousand immigrants, which the Agent General has boastingly professed to be able-to send out yearly, are not likely to reach Now Zealand, while more sterling inducements are offered elsewhere. Canada, America, Victoria, and Queensland, all hid high

for immigration, offering land and homes for the people at almost nominal payments. Free selection under the “ 42nd clause ” loses none of its popularity in Victoria, and in Queensland small settlers are so indulgently treated, that a homestead of eighty acres of agricultural, or one hundred and sixty acres of pastoral land may be five yearly payments of uinepcnce. and sixpence per acre respectively. If the Public Works of New Zealand, and the peopling of the Colony are to be simultaneously effected, similar inducements must be offered here. For every mile of railway to be made in New Zealand; a liberal proportion of land in immediate contiguity to the line of rail should be thrown open for free selection, thus giving alike lo colonists still seeking a home, and immigrants to arri' - e, the opportunity of at once settling o ' the soil, and earning sufficient to provide for their daily necessities. The extent of public works should for the present he limited co the actual supply of labor, and expanded as the, flow of population to New Zealand shores becomes less intermittent. To suggest that the scheme of public works shall be carried out at any risk, even by the employment of Chinese labor, savours very much of fool hardy recklessness, and prodigdl squandering of dearly gained resources. There is"no need to commence the construotioiTof unproductive lines of railway, forming arteries of communication through uninhabited solitudes, where, to quote the words of an Ol ago member, “ the traffic returns will not buy grease for the wheels of the rolling stock ”, until it has been proved beyond all possibility of]doubt, that European settlers will first m ake the lines, and then settle down to use them. In el ready'populated districts the'local supplies of surplus labor available'for the greater portion of the year, will be found sufficient to keep pace with a all actual requirements. Contractors may wish to push cn the works with all possible expedition, and gain their profit on the outlay, but their particular interests, and the best interests of the country are by no means identical. We have received a letter from Mr. T. L. Shepherd, M.H It. and M.P.C, whei'eln he announces his intention of addressing his constituents at Cromwell, Clyde, and Alexandra before the Session. A special meeting of the Clyde School Committee was held to consider an application from Mr. E. Ings, School-master for leave to give up the School. After some discussion, it was resolved, That Mr. lugs’ request be granted, and that pending the appointment of another Master, the School be closed. The usual Monthly meet ingot the Building Society will be held on Monday evening next the Bth instant. The Shooting season commenced on Monday last the Ist of April. At the close of a Sermon, by a casual clerical visitor, lately preached within a hundred miles of Clyde. The Her. preacher stated that a gentlemen would stand at the door with a plate to; subscriptions and if the sermon was not worth a shilling, it was 6d., but if it was not worth that he would give it again for nothing. We understand that a share in the water race lately constructed to bring the head water of the Leaning Rook Crock on to the Teraces at the rear of Clyde changed hands during the past week for 2 KM. This tranaction is significant of the value of mining property and auriferous ground in the neighborhood, audit is hoped will prove ar incentive to farther works of thokiud being constructed. Mr. Fache reports having sold the property of A. Brough, Esq., during the past week realising good prices. A large number of visitors from all parts of the district were present. We are requested to draw attention to the advertisement announcing the sale of household furniture, the property of Mr, Ings, Master of the Clyde school, who has been called in a hurried way from the district, on Monday next, the Stii inst. The Wanganui papers are eminent forner sonalities, either between themselves or towards members of the local community. Here is a mild specimen culled from the Chronicle “ Mr. Strachan, our celebrated tonsorial artist and tragedian, leaves Wanganui by the sa Wallahi to-night. A few frimds mot at the Phoenix Hotel last night and presented himVith an address,'descriptive of his services as a discoverer of gold and coals, as a purveyor of suppers, with not too much to eat, and rather little champagne to drink, as representative of sock and buskin, Othello and the Cuban Slave, and last not least as a manipulator of beards and black hair. He departs at peace with all mankind ; not only the Bride Ball Committee and La do da, but even old Bogo and ho have made it up. The latter, we are told, fell upon his neck and wept.” In the Provincial Government Gazelle it is notified that Messrs. G. Clark and J. Cox are appointed managers of the Clyde cemetery. Wo notice that “Modora” the Steeplechase mare has passed into the hands of Mr. Pritchard, of Dunedin and that Mr. Devine has became the purchaser of “Burgundy-”