THE GOVERNMENT AND IMMIGRATION.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 1958, 3 June 1880, Page 3

THE GOVERNMENT AND IMMIGRATION.

[By Telegbaph.J [FEOM OUB OWN COBKEBPONDENT.I WELLINGTON, June 2,

The despatches from the present Government to the Agent-General have been laid on the table of the House. The dates range from November last up to the departure of the last San Francisco"' mail. They show the action of the Hall Ministry in suspending immigration. The earlier ones relate chiefly to matters of detail. In a letter of January 3rd, in reply to Sir J. Vogel’s remonstrance regarding the stoppage of immigration, the Hon. Mr Bolleston. reiterates the orders to suspend immigration, with the exception of single women; and also to discourage the indiscriminate puffing of the colony by agents desirous to make a show of the numbers they induce to emigrate. A letter on January 14th refers to the passengers per Maraval and their occupations ; Mr Bolleston remarking as follows :—“ Tho majority of occupations are not of such a nature as to enable these immigrants readily to find employment on arrival. I think it right to direct attention to this matter, as I understand that the persons in question were induced to come out upon the representations

of Mr Arthur Olayden, who, it was understood, undertook to introduce small farmers possessed of capital and agricultural laborers, rather than tradespeople and artisans.” The letter of February 23 th alludes to Mr J. Berry as follows —“ His services, as tendered by him, were not to influence labouring classes, but to represent the advantages of the colony to farmers possessing sufficient capital to enable them to enter upon the occupation of land on their arrival. It appears to the Government that if Mr Berry could do this he would be rendering material services. The Government therefore authorise you to make such terms as you think fit with Mr Berry for a limited period with this special object. As has been pointed out, it would be inexpedient under existing circumstances to encourage laboring men without capital to come out to the colony.” Mr Bollsstoh also says—“XheQovernment does not desire that Mr Bathgate’s services should be continued in the Immigration Department after the expiration of his leave of absence, and I shall be obliged by your communicating this decision to him accordingly.” On Feb. 20th the Hon. J. Hall telegraphed — “ The unemployed are numerous and increasing. Warn men without means against coming at present, and send no one yourself.” OnApril 3rd Mr Rolleston wrote,“Tho Govern-

ment is pleased to learn that no more immigrants are on their way to the colony, and as a matter of course it is presumed that in accordance with the instructions which you have subsequently received, the services of Mr Olayden, Judge Bathgate, and the other immigration lecturers have by this time been discontinued. The progress of events in the colony has been such as to render it incumbent upon the Government from time to time to issue more stringent instructions as to the terms noon which passages will be granted to intending emigrants, until it has been finally decided not only that assisted immigration should be suspended, but even nominated passengers will not be provided for until next spring, and not then unless immigration is resumed at the public cost. At the present time Government has upwards of 1450 married and single men employed upon roads and other public works, merely to relieve the distress which exists throughout the colony. You will readily realise the difficulties in finding employment which will visit persons now arriving in the colony without capital. In face of the facts quoted, the Government do not consider themselves justified at present in anticipating a resumption of immigration, and it is not likely that Parliament will authorise the introduction during the ensuing twelve months of any but nominated persons and single women. As the immigration requirements of the colony are limited, it appears to the Government that your staff could bo very materially reduced. 1 shall be glad to hear that you have considerably reduced the total coat of the Agent-General’s Department.” On March Ist, Mr Rolleston wrote—“ Since the letter respecting Mr Berry’s services has been posted I have received from him a note showing that he had arranged to cut up and place upon the English market several largo properties in the colony. This, in tho

opinion of the Government is incompatible with the work proposed to bo undertaken by Mr Berry for the Government, and he has been informed accordingly. Complaints that lecturers have exaggerated or been partial have no doubt as a rule been without material justification, but it would not be believed they could be fair if it were known or suspected that they wore privately interested in cutting up and selling land.” On April 21st, the Hon. J. Hall telegraphed—“ Don’t resume nominated emigration. You may send a limited number of females, very carefully selected.”

At the same time a circular was issued to all the immigration officers in the colony instructing them |not to accept any more nominanations until further orders. The last despatch of the series is from Mr Bolleston, dated March 22nd, as follows :—“I have to direct your attention to letters from the office, also a letter of January 3rd, and the message of April 21st, from the Premier, all of which have reference to tho departmental arrangements of your staff consequent on the limitation, and subsequent suspense, of immigration.

I do not find up to the date o£ last maH that you had taken the action that the Government had expected upon previous instructions. I hope to hear by next mail that you have not only reduced your official staff, ;but actually stopped all lecturing, and that in the cases of Mr G. M. Keen and Mr Olayden, if you have been unable to arrange for the termination of their agreements, you have at any rate arranged to utilise their services in some other way for the period during which the Government is under obligation to pay them.”