The Lyttelton Times.

Lyttelton Times, Volume X, Issue 606, 28 August 1858, Page 5

The Lyttelton Times.

Saturday, August 28. Whilst busily eng*ag*ed in the routine of his office, as Emigration Agent, Mr. Fitz Gerald has not confined his attention to the purely official details of his duties. ■As was fully expected by those who urged him to accept the office, he has brought his abilities and' experience to bear upon the consideration of the general principles on which emigration to the colonies should be conducted, and the best means of ensuring* the utmost advantages 'to the Mother country, the colonies, and the emigrants themselves. In a letter addressed to Lord Stanley, the Secretary of State for the colonies, Mr. Fitz Gerald, lias brought his suggestions under the notice of the Home Government. He begins by pointing* out that as the Waste Lands of the Crown in all the colonies have now been transferred to the several colonial Governments, the duties of the Waste Lands and Emigration Commissioners are now confined to Emigration. The Colonists, however, prefer having the control of their own funds and the selection of their own emigrants; most of them are therefore sending* home Commissioners and agents of their own. But the Parkstreet commissioners have equalled if not surpassed all other managers in the • economical disposal of funds devoted to emigration, in shipping* arrangements and in general care of the emigrants. The only point in which they fail is in the selection of the emigrants. Mr. Fitz Gerald goes on to argue that, it would be a pity to see so useful an establishment as the Park-street office, with all its knowledge of business, experience and machinery suddenly swept away. Let the office be made popular in, and'to a certain extent responsible to the colonies, without impairing its present usefulness. Enlarge the Board by incorporating into it every agent sent home by a British Colony properly appointed to superintend the emigration. thereto. The General Board would manage general business ; each separate Commissioner would in his own department superintend the selection of emigrants suited to his own colony. The Chief Commission;.?!-, appointed by the Crown c.v officio Chairman of the Board, a permanent oUlcer,

while the others were changing*, would have the chief control of the ShippingDepartment. A proposal to the Colonies thus to cooperate for a common g-ood would he well received and of infinite advantage in various ways. It would reduce disorganised and clashing- efforts to a system in which all interested had a voice, hy which attention to local interests and experience in technical business would be secured. The necessary provisions mig-ht he embodied in an Act of Parliament, not compulsory on the Colonies, — the offer would most probably be readily accepted.

The letter concludes by pointing- out the advantage of having- a Board comprisingmen of experience and trust from the various Colonies sitting in London. The empire would be knit together; emigration -might he diverted from the United States to the British Colonies, " Annual and annually increasing* emigration has now become a part of the social and political system of this country. Hitherto it has been left to take care of itself. Is not the time arriving- when it ought to be subject to some system?" Mr.' FitzGerald enters upon details of management into which we have not now followed him, but we have conveyed to our readers the general principles of his proposal. ■ It is a comprehensive though simple reform, and one which we hope will receive due attention from the Imperial Government. -

We can scarcely believe the statement quoted from the ' Hawkes Bay Herald' that the tariff which we to-day publish has been " agreed to without alteration by a Committee of the whole House."

So strange does it appear, that we forbear from comment until we have received more certain news from Auckland. It Las certainly taken our merchants by surprise. Fancy an inci'ease of duty on necessaries of life, while luxuries, such as wine and beer are made duty free! Surely this cannot be the amended law.