THE GLOBE. WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 1, 1879.

Globe, Volume XXI, Issue 1752, 1 October 1879, Page 2

THE GLOBE. WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 1, 1879.

The question of encouraging immigration in tho present state of the labour market is one which is occupying very considerable attention. But whatever views may be held on the subject, there can only be one opinion in another direction, that if immigrants are to be received, it is by far more desirable that they should be those who are able and willing to pay their own passages, than that they should be introduced at the expense of the State. For not only, in the former case, is the State saved a considerable outlay of money, but it may be presumed that the immigrants who elect to come out at their own cost are from a more self-reliant class of men, and are more likely to make valuable colonists. We have heard a good deal of late of the abuses which have crept into the nomination system. Under a careful supervision, snch as we may fairly say exists in Canterbury, this danger is reduced to a very small fraction, so that we do not hold of much value the opinions expressed against the system on that ground. But nevertheless the encouragement of immigrants paying their own passages must commend itself for numerous reasons, if immigration is to be encouraged at all. There is, however, one danger in the " self paid system" to which it is desirable to draw attention. It is evident that when a man pays his own passage it is impossible to exercise any supervision over his general fitness for the life he will encounter in New Zealand. It might be possible, therefore, that many most undesirable colonists might be introduced who, instead of aiding the general cause in this colony, would become a decided burden on the resources of the country. Moreover, the various societios in England are frequently in the habit of paying the passages of individuals, and it is not altogether certain that they would] always pick those who would do the most credit to their choice. The only safeguard we at present possess in the direction of preventing the introduction of undesirable colonists among the self paid immigrants, lies in the provisions of the Imbecile Passengers Act of 1873. There is, we believe, the draft of the Act now in existence, which has been drawn up by the Government, bearing on this subject, and which will be shortly placed before the House, but of its exact provisions wo have, as yet, no knowledge. But by the " Imbecile Passengers Act," if any lunatic, idiot, deaf, dumb, blind, or infirm person, or any person likely to become a charge upon the public or upon any public or charitable institution, is reported as arriving in New Zealand, the owner or master of the ship in which he arrives may be called upon to enter into a bond of £IOO for every such passenger, that he will pay to the Colonial Treasurer all money that may be incurred within the space of five years for the maintenance or support of such passenger or passengers, and any money that is expended in such a manner may be recovered out of the said £IOO. The provisions of this Act do not, of course, apply to any immigrants introduced either wholly or in part at the oxpense of the colony, but they certainly provide a means for checking tho introduction of immigrants, who would only prove a burden to the State. Whether the Bill now in preparation is passed or not, it will be well that the provisions of the Act we have alluded to above should be carried out firmly and impartially. Immigrants paying their own passages are certainly preferable to assisted immigrants, but it is well, tho proverb notwithstanding, to occasionally look gift horses in the mouth, or they may on occasions, to use a Hibernianisin, resolve themselves into white elephants. ♦ Sik G-eokge Grey has succeeded in landing himself in somewhat of a dilemma. And no wonder. He is always finessing, and twisting, and turning to such an extent that he would bo more than human if lie did not occasionally find that he had overlooked a few wheels within other wheels, or if he did not now and then forget, to his own decided detriment, the exact position of some of tho torpedoes he had taken such care in placing in position. Such is always the case with gentlemen who delight in tortuous routes. In the case of the Christchurch election, for instance, it is very possible that Sir

Goorgo Groy may have overlooked a point of great importance to himself in his desiro to stand for this city and at the same time to secure for himself a place of retreat in case of defeat. He has, of course, laid the flattering unction to his soul that tho idea was a masterpiece of ingenuity, and, wrapt up in this happy fallacy, has probably quito forgotten to examine tho legality of the proceedings in which ho has been engaged. Not so the Opposition, however. That body are not at all inclined to see constituencies played with and hocussed out of due representation, in order to suit tho convonionco of a gentleman who yearns after a good " hedge." Consequently the Opposition have determined to test tho right of the Premier to play fast and loose in the manner in which ho has. On public grounds, this is altogether necessary. It is a vital point in representative institutions that it should not lio within tho power of an individual to disfranchise any body of men. And this point is recognised by English law. Writs being returned simultaneously, the fact obtains that no man who has been already elected a member of the House of Commons can be again chosen to represent a constituency. The course which is there pursued may indeed bo somewhat of a legal fiction, but it recognises tho great principle that no constituency can bo disfranchised by tho member it has already returned throwing them overboard at his own good will and pleasure. On public grounds this matter should bo settled at once. Mr. Richardson deserves _the thanks of the country for endeavoring, on behalf of his party, to set the matter at rest. Quite apart from any questions as to undue influences having being brought to bear by tho supporters of Sir George Grey, lies the constitutional question of his having been able to stand at all.