GOVERNMENT IMMIGRATION.

Globe, Volume XXI, Issue 1768, 20 October 1879, Page 3

GOVERNMENT IMMIGRATION.

WELLINGTON, October 18. The following correspondence on immigration was laid on the table:— “Minister for Immigration to AgentGeneral. “ Immigration Office, 14th August, 1879. “ Sir, —The question of continuing under existing circumstances of the colony the present system of free immigration has engaged the attention of the Government, and I have the honor to communicate to you for your information and guidance generally the following conclusions at which they have arrived on the subject. The engagements which under instructions from this office you have already made for granting free passages during the current financial year will result, as far as I am able to judge, in the despatch at the entire cost of the colony of three thousand immigrants. Telegrams (copies annexed) have been sent to you to stop, so far as engagements which you have made permit you to do so, the despatch of immigrants under present terms, and the future conduct of British emigration is to be on the following conditions : —(lst) The sum of £5 to be paid in advance to Government on account of each male Government immigrant, and you are to engage no passages unless previously advised that this sum has been paid in the colony, or unless you have received it in the United Kingdom. (2nd) Each immigrant to be suitable in all respects, and to be selected after proper inquiry by you out of the nominated list, and from other applications received in your office nominated persons |to have priority. (3) Free passages may be given to female adults, married, who are not more than fortyfive years of age, and who have not more than three children under twelve years of age. All eligible single females will receive passages upon the same terms as at present, that is to say, free railway fares to the port of embarkation, and the remission of the usual outfit money of £1 per statute adult._ This now arrangement is to apply to all emigrants whose passages have not been engaged, or promised to be engaged, and I shall bo obliged by your informing mo as early as possible as to the probable number likely to avail themselves of this system during the present financial year. With respect to the special class of emigrant farmers referred to in youx* letter of 21st May last, I have to state that while Government have no objection to your endeavoring to make arrangements with the New Zealand Shipping Company for the passages of these men and their families, it must bo distinctly understood that no liability or responsibility is entailed thereby on the colony. The company must altogether look to the men themselves for all payments, and, as informed by cablegram, you are not to afford any pecuniary assistance to this class of persons.

“ I have, &c.,