EMIGRATION TO NEW ZEALAND

Evening Star, Issue 4067, 9 March 1876, Page 3

EMIGRATION TO NEW ZEALAND

Is at present under discussion in the ’ columns of the Lorfdon papers. The reports of two meetings of “unemployedworkmen,” \ eld at Dunedm, respectively on the 6th and 18th of October, appeared in the ‘ Liverpool Albion,’ and were copied from that paper by the ‘Times.’ Amongst other resolutions passed at these meetings, all condemning the action of the New Zealand Government in bringing more immigrants to the country,the * Times * reports the following :—“ln selfdefence the operatives of New Zealand are constrained to have recourse to stringent measures with a view of opening the eyes of their deluded rulers, as well as acquainting the people of Great Britain with the real state of the country, and the miserable fate which such as intend to emigrate will have to encounter on their arrival in this much belauded, but corrupt and misgoverned corner of the Queen’s dominions.” If allowed to go abroad un contradicted such a report might have a damaging effect on the Colony, but the morning after its appearance the AgentGeneral for New Zealand was promptly in the field-with a letter to thq ‘ Times,’ calculated to re-assure those persons who have friends in the Colony, or who meditate proceeding thither. The ‘Times’*’ own New Zealand correspondent, who writes under date Wellington, 21st October, furnished a direct contradiction to the charges brought forward by these Dunedin demagogues. He quoted from Major Atkinson’s Immigration Statement, and the Minister’s picture of the labor market is amply corroborated by numerous letters to the papers from gentlemen who have either just returned from the Colony, or have received communications from friends there. The ‘ Times ’ publishes a sensible article on the subject, in which it suggests that these “unemployed ” of Dunedin belong to that ne’er-do-well class of people who are ever dissatisfied with their lot, and blindly follow the first professional agitator who comes amongst them. We are furnished from the mining districts with a notable instance of the wrongheadedness of this class of individuals. A coal pit, on Lord Fitzwilliam’s estate, which has hitherto been considered a safe one, waa discovered to be infested with dangerous gases, and the use of safety lamps was consequently ordered. This was obnoxious to the miners, and they refused to work unless allowed to use naked’ lights. The consequence was the {fit has been closed, and the wives and famiies of these misguided idiots are now starving. Some of these miners may possibly find their way out to Dunedin, and gain for themselves some notoriety by having their resolutions reported in the ‘Times.’ —Canterbury ‘ Press ’ correspondence.

Messrs Rothschild have contributed LI, 000 towards- the, erection of a new "West-end synagogue. ‘ A trial has been 'made at Chatham of the newiy-inver lod flying machine intended for use in military operations. The experiment prove a failure. After ascending like a kite, the machine came down with a crash, but Hr Simmons, i' e inventor, is still sanguine of ultimate an . :s. The extravagant price of meat is again the subject of public discussion. Mr Forster has been waited upon by a deputation from the London Trades Council in refere: ice to the grievance of dear meat. Unfortunately, tho prospect of effective succor from Australia has become less cheering.