The Evening Star FRIDAY, JULY 8, 1870.

Evening Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2237, 8 July 1870, Page 2

The Evening Star FRIDAY, JULY 8, 1870.

It is very plain that the plana of the Colonial Treasurer for the public works contemplated hgve reference to a largely increased and increasing population, and that they would he incomplete did they not provide for the introduction of immigrants. We need not enter upon the general question of the necessity for immigration. However distasteful the idea of it may be to a number of mistaken persons who fancy it will injure their interests, it is the great want of the country. In view of this want, the fifth part of the “ Immigration and Public Works Act" is expressly framed. It comprises six clauses—the 32nd to the 37th, both .inclusive.

The 32nd clause pfovides that the Governor may etiter into contracts with persons in or out of the Colony for the selection and conveyance of suitable immigrants when applied for by Superintendents of Provinces. Such contracts may apply to the construction of railways or any other works contemplated by the Act. Should it be deemed necessary, the Governor may compensate the person with whom the contract is made by money or giants of land, or partly one and partly the other, or guarantee interest on money expended up to the rate of six per cent, per annum, with a guarantee of repayment of the principal. The 33rd clause empowers the Governor and Superintendents of Provinces to form regulations for immigration to the Provinces, for nomination of immigrants by residents, for the distribution of funds appropriated to immigration, and for selling as special settlements lauds acquired under the provisions of the New Zealand Settlements Act, 1863, or subsequent Acts. Clause 3-1 limits the money to be raised for immigration under the Loan Act to .£1.500,000. Clause 35 provides that half of the expenditure shall be charged upon the Provinces receiving the immigrants, at the rate of 30s. per head per immigrant per anuum. The 36th clause empowers the. Governor to appoint immigration agents in New Zealand, to assist immigrants in obtaining employment. The 37th clause is an important one, and is intended to protect immigrants against imposition, as well as to compel them to abide by fair contracts entered into by them. It provides that a contract entered into by an agent with an immigrant out of New Zealand shall be binding upon him in the Colony, and any btv.ach of it shall subject him to equal penalties as if it had been made in the Colony. On the other hand, if any complaint is made by an immigrant that he has been induced to enter into any such contract by misrepresentation, or that the terms of the contract are unfair towards him, and that he has entered into it in ignorance of facts of which he ought to have been informed by the other party, a Resident Magistrate or two Justices of the Peace are empowered summarily to enquire into the case, and “ to make “ such order as the equity of the case may require, and either to cancel “ such contract or to modify the terms “ of it.”

This outline.of the provisions of the immigration scheme of the Government gives the chief features of it, divested of technical language. Immigration by Provinces is manifestly a difficult question. It differs materially from any other work of public utility, inasmuch as it has to deal with free agents, whose views and objects on arrival may be best attained by removal to another part of the Colony. This difficulty was never more manifest than when, some eighteen years ago, the gold fever induced such vast numbers to wend their way from all parts of the world to Victoria. South Australia was at that time giving great attention to immigration, and settlement was proceeding rapidly. The rich copper mines gave it a start that seemed likely to place it at the head of the Australian Colonies. It was, like New Zealand, free from the taint of convictism, and a steady stream of population was pouring in. But its progress was suddenly checked by the superior attractions of Victoria, and those immigrants whoso passages had been paid by the South Australian Government crossed the border by thousands, in many cases leaving wives and families a burden upon the community they had broken faith with. Wo question whether the Act under consideration gives power for inter-arrangement by the Provinces respecting similar removals. It has always appeared to us a defect in immigration arrangements. Otago pays for immigrants that may find a home in Auckland, or cict ccrsa. No matter where the man comes from, the advantage to the Province is the same. If then Auckland receives an Otago immigrant, it should as a Province assume Otago’s responsibility. We know there are difficulties inseparable from such complications, but they ai’e not insuperable, and we think some provision to meet them Is desirable.