The Globe. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 28, 1877.

Globe, Volume VIII, Issue 1091, 28 December 1877, Page 2

The Globe. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 28, 1877.

The advocates of protection are never tired of drawing attention to the supposed evil effects of the opposite policy. The Melbourne Leader, in a recent issue, eagerly clutches at some remarks made in the columns of the London Weekly Despatch regarding the state of the labor market in this colony, and contrasts the state of things here with that in Victoria. There they are content to take every one that goes, and " thanks," says our contemporary, "to our present fiscal policy, means and ways of employment have been opened up." The Leader is of opinion that the policy of unlimited State immigration can only land New Zealand deeper in difficulty, and that it cannot be in the interests of emigrants "that this rash policy of forcing population on a country which cannot absorb or support it, is pursued." But it is a curious fact that notwithstanding our rash policy of forcing population by State aid, there is in addition a considerable amount of unassisted immigration. During the year 1876 we find that 18,414 immigrants arrived in the cclony. Of these 9677 were at the public expense, and 8737 unassisted. It will thus bo seen that the number of assisted and unassisted immigrants was nearly the same. Again, while 18,414 people arrived in the colony, only 6459 left it during 1876, showing an actual excess in favour of immigration of 11,955. An examination of the returns brings out some curious facts. From the United Kingdom 11,132 people arrived, 2890 being unassisted, and the departures to the same place were 1110. Leaving out of consideration, therefore, altogether the assisted immigration, we find the satisfactory fact that 1780 more people paid their passages to New Zealand than took their departure from it. But what do the people of that paradise of protection —Victoria —think of this colony as a field for settlement ? Not only does her much vaunted fiscal policy not attract any of our population which the Leader says we cannot absorb, her people are actually blind enough to be attracted to our shores in no inconsiderable numbers. During 1876, the immigration to New Zealand from Victoria amounted to 3194, and the emigration from this colony 2044, showing a balance in our favour of 1150. We wonder what answer the Leader would give to this telling fact. When the great scheme of immigration and public works was announced, we were informed by a portion of the Melbourne press that we were only incurring great liabilities in order to add to the population of the other Australian Colonies, especially Victoria. But, ever since 1870, the balance of immigration from those colonies lias always been considerably in favour of New Zealand. On the 31st of December last, the estimated population of the colony, exclusive of Maoris and half-castes, was 399,075, being an increase of 23,219 during the year. This increase was caused by the excess of immigration over emigration of 11,955, and the excess of births over deaths, of 11,264. A comparison of the ' statistics of Victoria with those of New Zealand brings out equally satisfactory results. The death, vats, of that colony in

1876 was ]69l per cent., that of New Zealand 3<H. For the following tabulated statement of the relative position of the various colonies we are indebted to the Daily Times -. — Births and Deaths, 1876. Births. Deaths. Victoria 26,769 13,561 New South Wales ... 23,293 11,193 Queensland 6,903 3,467 South Australia 8,224 3,550 Western Australia ... 918 383 Tasmania 3,149 1,730 New Zealand 16,168 4,904 Grand totals 85,429 36,788 Deaths. Births. New Zealand to 100 Western Australia ... 41§ to 100 South Australia 43 to 100 New South Wales ... 48 to 100 Queensland 504 to 100 Tasmania 55 to 100 Victoria _ ... 69J to 100 Emigrants. Immigrants. New Zealand ... 35 left, agst. 100 arrived South Australia ... 36 „ 100 „ Queensland ... 44 „ 100 „ New South Wales 661 „ 100 „ Victoria 863 » 100 „ Tasmania Western Australia 159 „ 100 „