IMMIGRATION.

Evening Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2226, 25 June 1870, Page 2

IMMIGRATION.

(From the, Wellington Evening Post.) The instructions of the General Government to the English 'GommissioncTslireipublished in a parliamentary paper. The Commissioners are reminded that tire Governi ment are pledged to the Assembly to propose this session “ a comprehensive plan Which, without violating constitutional conditions, will extend, the benefits of regular aud systematic immigration to tho Colony throughout its length and breadth,” and Mr Fox rr o cs on to indicate the nature of the proposals which in his opinion seem best suited to the circumstances of the Colony; but the Commissioners are cautioned not to bind tho Colony to any undertaking, as the Assembly has not sanCt oned the final adoption of any terms. He is not disposed to sanction any scheme which has for its basis ridding the old country of its unemployed population In this we entirely agree, for, as Mr Fox says, a country wanting population should rather look to the employed as affording a better guarantee of fitness. Any scheme which would relieve England of a large portion of her pauper population would be cordially hailed no doubt by the Imperial Government]; hut a large number of those who were paupers there would become paupers here, aud prove an evjl instead of a benefit, The fair course is for us to supply our wants from the best class of the operative population, while the gaps thus made can he filled from the ranks of the unemployed ; and the commissioners are told that any proposal which did not leave New Zealand aS large ijfciU’V in the choice of immigrants, woqld be

wanting in an essential feature. As cooperation with the mother cdtnqtry is -fleeter sary to the success of the smjemh) the Ways in which that co-operatiori' might l he Obtained, are mentioned ; for instance, owners of ships would find it suit them.to enter into a contract with the New Zealand Government to provide passages for immigrants. The conditions under which immigration, when not conducted directly by tho Government, may be most beneficially encouraged, are thus stated : ‘ ‘ The' immigrant’s passsage, if he require it. should be&paid, and perhaps some little assistance for outfit be given to him. “Very easy terms of repayment should be allowed to him. “ He should be sure of employment on landing, or, if be desire it, and have capital, an opportunity of acquiring laud. “ Whilst, for convenience sake, I speak of immigrant in the. single number, I think a considerable portion of. the immigrants should be composed of families rather than of single men without relations. “Immigrants paying their own passages may be dealt with in several ways : “ Ist. A bonus may be paid them on land- “ 2nd. Which would be much preferable, a bonus after staying in the Colony some stated period. “ 3rd, A grant of land. “4th, Favorable terms for securing deferred annuities, or for insuring their lives “ sth-,.Lqans, through some organised societies, to enable‘them to enter into farming or ptft v, directly productive pursuits, , “(3th.' Preferential employment.” It is also suggested that companies or associations might profitably undertake immigration on a systematic scale, providing passages :on deferred payments, -the companies -applying the principles of life Jasiurauco to their risks, and calculating that out of every 1000 immigrants so many would be successful and repay whatever advances were made do. and op piany ; wpuld prove a loss. Government would also pay a bonus on evorylmmigrant landed of different nature and different amount according to circumstances, and, to provide against loss by death, arrangements. could be made to effect life assurances by the New Zealand Government under tho act recently passed. Companies which, besides merely, advancing money to immigrants, would undertake colonising operations,, would be warmly encouraged,- as they would be of a nature' With which it would suit the Colony much better to co-operate) Government would esteem highly any proposals for special settlement, which embraced besides -immigration, provision for the employment of the Maoris. Suitable settlers from'.continental countries especially Germans would be highly prized, , [- , ,- n sHT