THE DISPOSAL OF IMMIGRANTS.

Evening Star, Issue 3578, 11 August 1874, Page 3

THE DISPOSAL OF IMMIGRANTS.

r JjO ike EdtitfOr. Sir, —Without placing too' much credence in the statements of agitators, who are ever ready to paint things in extreme colors irrespective of truth or reason, I am of opinion that definite action should be taken in the disposal of immigrants in such a manner as will be profitable and creditable to the Colony. The temporary employment of a large number of men under no practical management leads to indolence and beggarly independence, and more especially with a mixed class unacquainted with the use of picks and shovels, and little or no attention being paid as to the manner " in which they use them. The limited time they are emp’oyed during the day gives them an opportunity of prowling through the City on » pretext of looking for work, and brings ptopai' in contact with discontented loafers anfl others, whb aife constantly infesting public bars and the corners of streets. No doubt agents in many cases have been guilty of false representations, in order to secure number rather than quality ; this does not, however, release the Government from the responsibility t f providing for them in the first instance, and the sooner they are allocated to various works now in progress tin* sooner they will become initiated in the duties required of them, as a new power in tpe community 'assisting in developing the resources df the Colony, instead of sinking into low halbits of vice and swelling the annals of crime. The Government by its present inaction is assuming a grave responsibility, and one which no doubt will cause a startling reaction ; for it is already unsafe to wander in the suburbs after dark ; and what will it bo when two or three more ships empty their cargoes of living souls unprovided for, with plenty around them only obtainable by fraud or crime ? ‘•About L 50.000 is to be spent in the JNaseby district, purely for muring purposes,

and the employment of a large number o f men on the works would make them familiar with the country, so that when a supply of water was available they would settle in the district and become producers of wealth to the Colony. It is also the duty of the Government to facilitate the completion of such works, so as to afford employment to a large population ; for delay is a sacrifice of the interest on the money expended, beside? excluding hundreds from profitable labor, and keeping back the works from being reproductive. lam of opinion that there is a great want of energy and forethought on the part of the Government, which might possibly lead to disastrous results, not only fostering the elements of crime, but in allowing the circulation of a wide*spread dissatisfaction from the injured, whose wrongs will be magnified by professional sponters and touters. It is disgraceful to the Colony to think that such a meeting as was held the other day should lie considered necessary, while labor is scarce in the interior of the country, and only rethe cost of transit to furnish every one willing to work with employment, jf the Government has not the forethought to act without the suggestions conveyed in resolutions passed at public meetings, let the citizens, whose money is being squandered, teach those who are enjoying honors that they have duties to perform, both for the credit of the Colony and the well-being of those they induce to come here.—l am &c., ’

_ ~ Blunderbuss. Dunedin, August 8.