THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

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

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

[By Electric Telegraph.]

Wellington, September 15,

In reply to Mr Pyke, Mr Vogel said the Government would endeavour to persuade the Colony of Victoria to establish a branch mint in Mew Zealand.

The Stewart’s Island Grants Bill, and Native Lands Frauds Prevention Act Amendment Bill, were read a second time, committed, read a third time, and passed.— The Wanganui Reserve Foreshore Grant Bill, and Diseased Cattle Act Amendment Bill, were committed, read a third time, and passed. Some of the amendments made by the Legislative Council in the Province of Westland Bill were disagreed with, and managers were appointed to confer with the Upper House. The Public Trusts Office Act Amendment Bill was committed, read a third time, and passed. Mr Andrew moved the second reading of the Provincial Councils Legislation App-al Act Amendment Bill, to enable two or more members of a Council to submit trial cases to the Supreme Court to test the validity of any Provincial Act.—Mr Bunny moved that the Bill be read a second time that day six months.—Mr Fitzherbert opposed the Bill, which was thrown out on the voices.

Mr Creighton’s motion for the production of audited capital and profit and loss accounts, covering the last four years, of the Government printing office, was carried. Mr Creighton said the return presented to the House was utterly bad. Ten years’ experience convinced him that the Government printing cost one-fourth more than if it were done in any other office in the Colony. He condemned the Government for competing with private capital and spoiling the trade, preventing masters from being able to afford the latest improvements in plant and machinery. He said this trade, which employed more labor than any other industry in the Colony, was injured by the Government Office, while the Colony reaped no advantage from it.—Mr Harrison pointed out that the value set on the work of the Government Printing Office in the return furnished was most excessive. It was evidently made up to show a good balance. He proved its worthlessness by a reference to the two items of telegraph forms and order papers. Mr Bradshaw’s motion respecting a Eoyal Charter for the Otago University was withdrawn—the amendments on the motion being withdrawn also. Mr Kelly ’s motion respecting the revenues of University reserves in Auckland and Taranaki being devoted to the promotion of superior education in those Provinces was amended, so as to be applicable to the Colony, and was then carried.

The report of the Committee appointed to consider the Immigration question, reviews the objects of the Immigration policy of 1870, and states that railways and other public works were intended to open up the country and provide temporary employment for immigrants. The class of small farm immigrants possessed of a little capital is limited, and the Colony must look for its supply of immigrants mainly to the surplus workers for wages, for whom employment must be found for some time after their arrival. An excess of immigration and flooding of the labor markets are to be guarded against. The report then traces the objects of the policy of 1870, gives a long list of the witnesses examined, and narrates the steps taken to introduce the policy of 1870. It refers to the instructions given to the AgentGeneral. It says that 2,000 Scandinavian settlers have been introduced, and that the Scandinavian settlements have been literally successful. The Committee recommend the revival of Scandinavian immigration, the stoppage of which was not the fault of either the Government or the Agent-General. The Report refers to the changes in the system of immigration, and says the Agent-General attributes some of his embarrassments to these changes. The Committee see no reason to attribute the disappointment felt as to the number of immigrants introduced, to a want of zeal or energy on the part of the Agent-General. Though the number fell short last year, the Agent-General states that he will be able to supply a total number of 13,000 this year. The Committee believe it to be impossible to command at any given time a supply of immigrants suited exactly to the needs of the Colony. The AgentGeneral had to encounter special difficulties at starting, in consequence of the demand for labor, the rise in wages, previous Native disturbances here, and the length of the voyage. The Committee account for the slackness of Irish immigration on the ground that Irish emigration specially tends to the United States. Another difficulty experienced has been the conflicting nature of the Provincial regulations. So long as immigration is carried out at the cost of the Colony, absolute uniformity in the regulations is essential. The Committee state that it is obvious that justice cannot be done to the Colony if the funds provided at the common cost should by means of special Provincial inducements be directed to the special service of particular Provinces. With regard to granting free passages, the Committee observe that in the long run a system of immigration; to bo permanent, must bo

self-supportipg. Part payment in cash also implies eligibility. The land fond must eventually fail, and adventitious, sources of supply be dried up. The Committee* however, recommend the granting, of free passages for a time, thus securing a better field for selection. The system of requiring the repayment of the cost of the passage is a good one. The regulations applied to assisted immigrants should be applied also to nominated immigrants throughout the country. It appears that under the peculiar circumstances of the Colony, Provincial differences regarding immigration are unavoidable. The report suggests that the Provincial agents should be allowed to select immigrants at their owu cost, the immigrants to be subject to the approval of the Agent-General, who should take charge of all shipping arrangements, the terms to be uniform. While the Colony is engaged in a large scheme of immigration, it would be unwise to allow a conflicting scheme such as Messrs Brogden’s. The Committee decline to express an opinion on the immigration questions pending between the Government and the Messrs Brogden. The Committee approve of local shipping companies; hut point out that political influences may he brought to bear. They recommend the Scotch and Irish immigrants being shipped from the nearest, port, without proceeding to Loudon. Improved passenger accommodation is desirable. The waste lauds of the Colony are rapidly passing into the hand* of wealthy capitalists and stockowners, without conditions necessary for their systematic settlement. Any aetiou of the Agent-General for the formation of settlements on the confiscated lands would be premature, no definite plans having been matured. To whatever cause it may be attributable, the Committee are of opinion that no practical effect has been given to the Immigration policy of 1870, in the formation of new settlements and the location of immigrants on t.e land. It is not the work of the Agent-General to devise such plans. Separate agencies in Britain would probably be necessary for special settlements. The address of the Warwickshire laborers is recommended to the serious consideration of the Agent-General. The Immigrants’ Land Bill is to be considered in the House to-night. It provides that every immigrant paying bis own passage to blew Zealand shall be entitled to land to the value of L2O, for himself, for each member of his family fourteen years of age and upwards a like amount, and for members of his family under fourteen years —(?) The term “ members of family ”is to iuclude the wife, child, grandchild, nephew, and niece of the head of the family. The applicant is to make his claim within a specified number of days after arrival. The claimant’s name, and the amount of his claim, are to be registered. At any time within five years of continuous residence, any registered immigrant may apply for laud to he purchased for him to the extent of his claim, specifying the land ha, wishes to bo purchased for him. The land must be waste lands of the Crown. If the land be put up to auction, and it fetches a higher value than the immigrant is entitled to, he may notify other land. The land selected must be in one block. A registered immigrant may occupy the land for two years, at the expiration of which period the immigrant is to be entitled to a Crown grant, on proof of two years’ residence, and that one-fifth of the block is cultivated. If the laud is unoccupied or uncultivated for two years, the right of occupation ceases. It is also provided that if the head of the family should die within, two years, he may devise the land to his' family as if a Crown grant had been issued. Forfeited lands are to be sold. The interest of any land for which a Crown grant has not been issued is not capable of being devised, and the charge is to be encumbered on it, or taken in execution. .Regulations may he made for grants of land to persons or associations introducing immigrants at their own cost. The value of the laud so granted is to be in the same proportion as to the heads of families. Lands may be purchased out of moneys applicable to immigration. September 16.

The immigration question is regarded as the principal one of the session, and the test of the Government’s stability. A strong attempt will be made in the Upper House to throw out the Provincial Loaus Bill.

Last night, the Premier in moving the second reading of the Immigrant’s Land Bill, explained its provisions. The Bill, he he* lieved, might be made the means of inducing a most valuable class of immigrants to come out—a class who would not care to take advantage of assisted immigration, but would be willing to come out if it could obtain land to settle upon. Regarding the general question of immigration, he knew some people were dissatisfied with the progress of immigration, and with the action of the Agent-General. It was impossible for him to give the House more information than had been afforded. Indeed he thought more correspondence than was desirable had been published. There must always be correspondence between the Government and an officer of the standing of the AgentGeneral, which it would not be desirable to publish. The Government had not laid on the table the latest despatch in reply to others from the Agent-General. Some correspondence on the part of the AgentGeneral had been couched in language which should not have been adopted towards the Government. While some members would blame the Agent-General, it should be remembered that he bad had very great difficulties to contend against, and besides had suffered from very sever* illness. He hoped members would not travel out of the subject before them to discuss the fulfilment by the Agent-General of his duties. The Government were quite content to take upon themselves all responsibility in the matter regarding the question of immigration. The Government were of opinion there were too many irresponsable immigration agents in the United Kingdom. It was proposed to reduce the number, and have more of a class directly in the service of the> Government, able to set forth the advantages of the Colony. The system of nomination of immigrants the Government were desirous of pushing and extending, while at the same time the Agent-General would have to examine the nominated immigrants as to fitness. The Government also intended to publish a pamphlet, which was in preparation, and for which the assistance of the various Superintendents was invited. The pamphlet would be circulated throughout the United Kingdom. Regarding shipping, the Government were aware of the loss the Colony had sustained by reason of the late monopoly, and were glad a local company had been started, and hoped it would succeed. But as the Government were as much averse to a local as to a Home monopoly, it would endeavor to foster a wholesome competition. Ministers felt the advantage to be gained by first-clais ships being laid on the line, so that those coming out might convey to their friends at Home good impressions not only ®f the Colony but of the passaae out. The Government felt that they should have the sole control of the immigration arrangements at Home, the Provinces contenting themselves with seeing to the immigrants on their arrival—Mr Keeves said the occupation clauses of the Bill were such as would materially interfere with the proper working of the scheme, fie would address himself to the general subject of immigration. It was a matter of surprise to him that the discussion on the subject had been delayed so long. The true reason why the question had been shirked tvas because it was not the in*

terest of the Government to raise it while upon it the remnants of an Opposition were divided. All sides of the House were agreed as to the importance of immigration, and the Premier’s speeches showed he was aware of its great importance. The instructions sent Home to the Agent-General had not been acted upon. He had the highest regard for the Agent-Goneral. but {the opinion he might hold of him privately would not prevent him criticising his action as A gent-Genera], because he felt that the interests involved were most important. The Agent-General was not the right man in the right place. R« had not the qualities necessary for the post. Undoubtedly he had high integrity, but not the other qualities necessary. His own despatches (from which Mr Reeves quoted at length) proved this, and his uttjr disregard of the clear instructions sent Home. These showed his utter want of method and business ability. His want of subordination was equally clear. In spite of the latitude given him, and the deference shown him, he displayed an utter disregard of his instructions in regard to immigration, the shipment of railway iron, and to facilities for special settlements, in regard to which he had received most definite instructions, hut for many months took no action in these matters. His lack of business ability was shown in his .shipping arrangements. Instead of breaking up a monopoly (as, with the business in his hands, he could easily have done) he had confirmed it. He had blundered in sending the material for the same railway to different parts of the Colony. He had also blundered over insurance. He had promised a supply of immigrants, hut had sent very little more than three-eighths of those who came out. His contract with Messrs Brogden had fallen through. His want of judgment* to discern the difficulty of bis work was conspicuous, and had led him to go in opposition to the wishes and advice of his valuable subordinate agents, and consequently his own anticipations of the result of his labors had not been fulfilled. The conclusion he (Mr Reeves) had arrived at was that the Agent-General should be recalled from the position to which he should never have been appointed, and the business portion of his duties should be performed by a'Second officer. While blaming the Agent-General, he could not pass over the responsibility of the Government. The Minister for Immigration seemed to be totally devoid of all fixed ideas on the question. At one moment, for instance, he suggested giving free passages, and next he expressed a different opinion. In regard to the season’ when immigrants were required, the matter of nominated immigrants and, indeed, on almost every point of the question, the same absence of any fixed ideas was observable. The House had received the announcement that the Colony would undertake immigration with pleasure, but the Government had allowed the work to slip through their fingers. The errors of the Agent-General had been the cause of Otago takingnp the work again, Canterbury following suit. The system of free nominated immigration was most desirable. The Colony required the greatest accession to its population. He believed that free immigration would have to be adopted. If this were done, it would be well to give tb e friends of those already in the Colony a preference. The experience of Canterbury in nominated immigration showed the value of the system. The adoption of this and some assistance to emigrants before embarkation would turn the tide of immigrants to the Colony. The dearth of labor was getting alarming. The whole Colony recognised it, and it behoved the Government to take the promptest measures to meet it One other point he wished to touch upon, namely the indifference of the Agent-General to the proposals of the agricultural laborers’ union regarding emigration. Those proposals opened up a chance for him to obtain a most valuable class of immigrants ; but it seemed he paid no attention to them whatever, and met them with the coldest official acknowledgment.—A discussion arose as to whether the debate should be adjourned, it having travelled beyond the limits of the Bid, and members being unprepared to go into the question of the Agent-General’s administration. EventaaTy the debate was adjourned on that ground till Wednesday. (f ROM OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT.) It is generally understood that the Upper House will throw out the Provincial Borrowing Bill. The Independent urges what will become of the Provincial Loan Bills now before the Lower House, and that should the Bill not pass it will be the duty of the Government to bring forward a Bill for imposing a property tax throughout the Colony. It says property holders in the Upper House should study this view of the question. It discusses the question whether the Governor will allow the “swamping” ef the Upper House, and is generally uncertain and foggy. Mr Reeves’s attacks on the Agent-General last night made a great sensation. He was supposed to be well posted up in the matter, and though Mr Vogel tried to shield Dr. Featherston all that he possibly could, the effect of his speech was great.