The Evening Star MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 1875.

Evening Star, Issue 3923, 20 September 1875, Page 2

The Evening Star MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 1875.

Two papers of very different characters reached us during last week : one from England, specially directed by the Editor of the ‘ Yorkshire Gazette,’ containing conclusion', drawn from a perusal of Mr Rees’s pamphlet, and the other from the Government Printer, being Mr Holloway’s report to the Executive Council of the Agricultural Laborers’ Union of his mission to New Zealand, At the time that Mr Rees’s pamphlet was published, we regarded it as so flimsy in its argument, reckless in its mis-statements, and scurrilous in its denunciations of able men, that it was not worth the trouble of serious refutation. It was therefore with much surprise that, we suppose in common with the other journals of the Colony, we received a copy of the old-established and influential journal, the ‘ Yorkshire Gazette, ’ with a request from the editor that any comments on the article suggested by Mr Rees’s pamphlet, published in the Star, may be sent him. It is a pity that men manifestly unable to comprehend the commercial, political, and social status of the Colony should be able to write so speciously as to gain credence with strangers. It gives much trouble to expose their falsehoods, but, on the other hand, there is gain in doing so ; as not only is truth disseminated but the Colony is brought prominently under the special notice of large sections of every elass at Home, many of whom are waiting for reliable information concerning its prospects. When therefore we can give attention to the matter, we purpose devoting a few columns to this special object. Mr Holloway’s report is a straightforward, unpretentious document, telling the result of his experience during his New Zealand visit. Those who know the class among whom Mr Holloway was brought up, will feel surprised, should they read his report, at 1 the clearness of the arrangement, i and the appropriateness of the lau- j guage. After a brief introduction re- 1 furring to the circumstances under which he was' sent out and the object of his mission; he describes the facilities afforded him for acquiring information. He tells the Council that while both

the Provincial and the General Governments arranged his movements and enabled him to cany them out, “to their honor, I may say, they never sought unduly to influence my mind in favor of any particular Province, but left me unfettered and free, from ray own observations to draw my own conclusions and form my own opinions.” This is not always easy for a stranger 10 do on so short a visit; but Mr Holloway is not an Anthony Trollope. His mission was not to write a book of travels telling off the peculiarities of the people, and comparing them with society at Home. The agricultural class by whom he was sent out have for centuries been patiently vegetating under certain depressing arrangements, tending to limit their comforts and enjoyments to a minimum. Other classes had advanced, but they had been stationary: their wages were low, their hours of labor long, their dependence upon the wealthier classes degrading. It was impossible they could rest content when the knowledge dawned upon them with the spread of education of the happier lot enjojed by many in their own country. They wished to know whether other lands opened refuges from the evils they were suffering. Well-to-do people at Horae are scarcely conscious of the social problems sought to be solved by the working men of Great Britain ; and we in the Colonics enjoy so much practical liberty that we seldom trouble ourselves about the causes of their discontent. Mr Hollow \y’s report seems to present answers to certain questions that suggest what the agricultural laborers consider the evils of their condition. They are disposed of in a very practical way. Work and wages form the leading feature. He tells the Council that there is work for all who will work, and good wag«s. Of course he names the rates; but in some trades advances have since taken place, so that he is within the mark. He warns emigrants that no idler or drunkard need expect to prosper, but that “ for the energetic, pushing, self-reliant, and persevering man there is no lack of employment—good work, hard work too; but the men out there have something to keep them up to it. Then, they only work eight hours a day—an admirable system this, as it gives the laborer time for recreation and mental improvement.” We think he has under-rated the cost of provisions, but they, with wages, have latterly advanced. lie considers the civil and religious privileges enjoyed fully equal, if not superior, to those of Great Britain, and especially draws attention to there being no State Church. This, he says, works admirably : “ there is more religious freedom and equality than thei'e is in a country where priestcraft is predominant; and as a consequence the religious life is more IxeaThy and vigorous.” After de- ; scribing the provisions for education, lunatic asylums, hospitals, and the franchise, he states that he considers the climate very superior to that of the British Islands, and winds up with commendation of our land laws ; concluding by expressing his conviction that New Zealand is a suitable field for the settlement of a lai’ge number of English farm laborers, “with the certain and encouraging prospects before them ” of rising in the “ social scale,” and “eventually becoming the occupiei\s of f■’■ms themselves.” Mr Holloway’s plain, unpretentious report presents a striking contrast to Mr Rees’s misstatements, yet its truths ai‘e overlooked, while his nonsense is thought worthy of serious comment.