The Evening Star TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 1873.

Evening Star, Issue 3299, 16 September 1873, Page 2

The Evening Star TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 1873.

On careful perusal of the telegraphic report of the Immigration Committee, we arrive at the conclusion that they have found it difficult to approve or acquit the Agent-General of the charges so frequently urged against him. Wo do not consider this very surprising when the constitution of Parliamentary committees is considered. They are generally selected from classes of men known to hold different opinions, in order that full evidence on all points may be taken. We have not before us the names of the members of Committee, nor, had we, should we be able in every instance to know what view each held before being appointed. But it may be fairly assumed that there were those who sought to defend Dr Feathekston and those who sought to impugn his proceedings; those who wished well to the Government scheme, and those who would like to throw the blame of its failure upon the Ministry. While, therefore, the milk-and-watery report seems to indicate there was no overwhelming evidence justifying unqualified blame of either the AgentGeneral or the Government, it points to many doubtful arrangements for which he or some one else should be held responsible. On this ground the evidence, and not the report, is that on which alone a sound conclusion can be arrived at; and it will be some time before that will reach our hands. A few points are, however, definitely brought out. It seems that the scheme marked out in 1870 has not been realised; that special settlements have not been founded ; and that the Brogden immigration has not succeeded. It did not need a Parliamentary Committee to tell us these things. The investigation was intended to discover the reason why these failures occurred. There is a sort of attempt at this, but we are inclined to think better reasons

could have been given than those put forward. From the telegram we gather that the preliminary observations lay down the principle that the Public Works Scheme was intended to provide temporary employment for immigrants until they could find permanent occupation. Now although it was very natural to think that such would be a consequence of the construction of public works, we do not recollect that it ever formed part of the scheme itself. It was seen from the first that it would be impossible with the supply of labor at command to construct railways, and at the same time profitably to prosecute the various industries established in the country. And in order that there should be no competition between the contractors and other employers of labor, it was sought to bring into the country a class of immigrants specially adapted to railway construction, through Messrs Brogden’s agency. The Committee decline to express an opinion on this point, and the differences that have arisen on it, although nothing can be plainer than that this portion of the plan failed, because the necessity for work increased faster than the supply of hands to do it, and that consequently men who bargained for certain wages before leaving England made no scruple to accept higher wages when offered them on arrival here.

There is another idea in this preliminary portion of the report that is worthy of a remark or two. The Committee appear to be afraid of over immigration, and tell us that as the number of small farmers coming amongst us is limited, care must be taken not to bring out too many men whose sole dependence will bo on wages for work done. This is one of those economic fallacies that stand in the way of rapid progression. It is assumed that capital is needed to be imported to cultivate the soil, and this is based on the idea that we have not amongst us youth growing up who will be glad to settle down and become —we hope not small farmers, for we do not want pauper agriculturists intelligent large employers of labor. It is the same cry as has been uttered for twenty years in New Zealand, and it is repeated in the face of the clearest evidence of its hollowness. By this time it should be apparent that increase of population is but another term for increase of wealth, increase of work, increase of means of employing labor, and in most instances increase of wages. We pointed to this years ago when men were suffering through want of work, and when such opinions were derided by many as contrary to the nature of things. We pointed to extended immigration as a means of finding work for those who were clamoring for bread. The result has proved the truth of the position. The time may, however, come when immigration may prove a disadvantage rather than an advantage ; but it will not be until our fields are tilled, our mines fully worked, docks made, cities built, factories, iron foundries, and other industries fully stocked, every market supplied with our produce, and New Zealand has reached the highest point of commercial and industrial development. Until then, let them come, be they who they may; large capitalists and small, or men who toil for wages : there is room for all, and all who direct their energies aright will need food, house room, clothing, and luxuries ; while they who are here will have enough to do to provide for those that are to follow. The report is suggestive on many other points on which fuller information may enable us to refer more specifically. The evidence may throw clearer light on many subjects which the summary of the report leaves somewhat misty, but which just now that a Provincial agency is about to be established, it is desirable should be made clear. As far as we can gather from the telegram, competition between the Colony and the Provinces is not likely to work well. Immigration must be the work of one or the other. The Provinces have hitherto tried and have not succeeded. The General Government has not shone in its efforts, but there are good and valid reasons why immigration should be left to it. Of which hereafter.