THE NATIONAL AGRICULTURAL LABORERS' UNION.

Evening Star, Issue 3305, 23 September 1873, Page 3

THE NATIONAL AGRICULTURAL LABORERS' UNION.

The following rather interesting letter has been presented to Parliament, along with other papers on the subject of immigration To the Honorable the Legislative Assembly of the Colony of New Zealand. The undersigned, being members of the Committee of the National Agricultural Laborers’ Union, are authorised to address yon in the interests of tins Association. The condition of the farm laborers of this country, as you are doubtless aware, has for some years been one of poverty and privation. Their homes have, in many cases, bemi wretched in the extreme ; their wages insufficient ; and their food scant and unwholesome. It has been impossible for them to educate their children ; to avoid the miseries of debt ; or to make provision for old age;-and the result has boon that after years of hopeless toil, during which they have had largely to appeal to "public charity, they have been compelled to end their days as paupers in the Union Workhouse. Of late the sorrows of their unhappy position have been aggravated by the increased price of provisions, coal, and other necessaries of existence; and it has become absolutely essential to take stops towards redressing the grievance from which they suffer. The National Agricultural Laborers’ Union has been formed with this view, and, so far, has to some extent realised its end. It is found, however, that emigration afford?, perhaps, the speediest solution of the many difficulties wliipfi lie pi the way to real and lasting improvement, and already many laborers have {-one forth to Brazil and other countries to which free passages are given. The committee wo represent cannot but regard it as most undesirable that their fellow-country-men should settle amongst people who are aliens in customs, language, and religion, and should enrich other soil by their labor when there is urgent need for them in a laud where their own tongue is spoken and their own government and customs prevail. It is, however, vain to expect that the laborer will, unaided, find his way to the English Colonics ; and we therefore appeal, through you, to the country you represent, urging that free passages from an English port, if not from their homes, ho provided for eligible laborers and ’their families who arc willing tq seek your shores; and further, that provision be made for their re cep tio’u and for their transfer to fields in which their labor may be most in demand. Should it bp possible for your Government to meet our wishes, and so to attract to its own land the tide of emigration now flowing to Brazil and other countries, our Committee will do all in their power to sec that only proper parties are allowed to avail themselves of your privilege, Josmi A am, Chairman. Hknuy Tavlim;, Secretary. Fukuk. R. A'rncMioßouou, Congregational Taster, and Treasurer of Warwickshire Laborers’ Union. John 8. Wright, Chairman Birmingham Liberal Association. Dated at Leamington, this 15th day of May, IS7J.