IMMIGRATION MATTERS.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 2011, 4 August 1880, Page 3

IMMIGRATION MATTERS.

[EBOM Oim OWN COBBKSPONDENT.]

WELLINGTON, August 3,

A further letter re immigration from Sir J. Yogel was laid on the table of the House to-day. It acknowledges the receipt of a letter of April 3rd, stating that it is not likely that Parliament will sanction the introduction of immigrants during the ensuing eighteen months, except nominated and single women, and desiring him to dispense with the services of all local or travelling agents so far as consistent with existing engagements. Sir J. Vogel points out the difficulty of making a reduction in the staff, owing to Government intimating that probably immigration to a certain extent, and for which certain officers are indispensable, might be resumed. Even now he had to deal with nominated persons, lists of whom were received each mail, and with those whose passages were postponed from last year. Ho could not make the reduction required till he carried into effect the instructions to send out single women, and had been informed how the Government proposed to deal with the people already nominated, from whom he was daily_ receiving pressing representations as to the inconvenience they are being put to by the postponement of their nominations. She AgentGeneral continues —“ I may point out that you will have to decide upon some definite course respecting these nominated immigrants. I have put them off from time to time, but they are disinclined to further delays, and they consider that they have claims on the Government. More or less, this is undoubtedly the case in many instances. The Government have received money from their friends, and in numerous others the poor creatures, on the strength of their nominations being accepted, have made their arrangements for going.” Sir J. Yogel states that he has arranged for making some further reductions, and has given notice to Messrs Inman and Sisson. The former has been in the department three and the latter eight years. The latter’s place will have to be refilled, if nominated immigration, requiring the receipt of money, is resumed. This will leave only two ofibers specially engaged in immigration wort. The offices being held under lease, the rent cannot be reduced, but by giving up the storeroom, held under a weekly tenancy, £3O per annum may be saved. With reference to special and local agents, Mr Holloway had received notice, Mr Bathgate had sailed far New Zealand, and Mr Olayden’s engagement has terminated. The Agent-General intends closing Mr Heed’s offices at Belfast, and dispensing with the services of the clerk. During the remainder of Mr Heed’s engagement ho can, unless contrary instructions are given, promote so far as possible, without incurring extra expense, the immigration of men to the colony experienced in farming, and with sufficient means to enable them to follow that pursuit. The Agent-General presumed that the Government wish him to give Mr Reed notice at the end of his two years. Only one local agent, Mr Ottywell, is obtaining applications from a few domestics in Scotland. The AgentGeneral believes that it is well known at home that the labor market of the colony is overstocked, but this notwithstanding, there are cases in which persona under a variety of circumstances, such as inability to obtain work at home, will go out regardless of the discouraging reports, while at the same time these persons on arrival, finding employment scarce, complain that they have been encouraged to go out. He would, so far as possible, discourage unsuitable people, or working men without means, proceeding to the colony till the receipt of further instructions from the Government, After referring to his former action in sending out a special ship for farmers, the Agent-General says : “ I am aware that a great deal may be said about the propriety of assisting with money those absolutely without it, but _ there is no use partially applying a principle. If the Government are willing to spend money in getting out farmers, surely they had better make the best use of it. A great deal of 1 money is spent on agents travelling the oounI try, and it need scarcely be said that the promoters of special settlements under Go-

TJrnmont auspices make a great deal of money by buying land from the Government at one price and selling it at another; but if, the Government are really willing to aid the settlement of farmers with email capital, they can, I think, make money. If they are willing to spend so much further by putting on special ships after the plan adopted in the case of Wanganui, there will be no difficulty in finding farmers willing to go, as the number of skilled farmers with small capital seeking new homes is very large. The expense of the passage, especially when there are large families, is very heavy, and in numerous oases they turn to Canada, where otherwise they would prefer New Zealand.” The above letter is dated June 14th last.