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New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 4481, 30 July 1875, Page 2

We have pleasure in directing attention to the correspondence and telegrams on immigration, which appear in another column. The Government, at the earliest possible moment after receiving the intelligence from England that free emigration had been stopped, considered the question, and telegraphed to Sir Julius Vogel instructions, on June 8, to spread the emigration expenditure over two years, sending out 13,000 persons each year, but on no account to send out 25,000 in one year. The unexpended balance for emigration was £460,000. The destination of the emigrants, in this country, was likewise fixed by Ministers. On June 19th, Dr. Pollen telegraphed to Sir Julius Vogel: "We are strongly " of opinion that emigration should be " free ;—careful selection ;" to which Sir Julius replied, under date June 30, that in accordance with the wishes of the Government, he had instructed Dr. Feathekston to continue free emigration. In consequence, therefore, of the prompt action of Ministers, the mischief that might have resulted from the sudden check to emigration to New Zealand has been averted.

Turning to the printed correspondence, from which we quote elsewhere, we find an explanation of the news, received with so much surprise in the colony, that free emigration had been discontinued. In Sir Julius Vogel's instructions to Dr. Featherston, under the caption, " im- " migrants to give promissory notes," we find the following passage :

I believe the time has come when immigrants should pay some portion of their passage money. The colony has incurred expense for immigration to such an extent as should make it reasonable to suppose that those who have had their passages paid have left behind them a number of relatives or friends who, on their representations, would be glad to follow. I desire, however, that we should not, by making some cash payment a condition, shut out from proceeding to New Zealand persons who, though eligible as settlers, have no pecuniary means. I propose, therefore, that you should exact from, or on account of, each adult emigrant, a promissory note for £7, or the payment of £3 10s. in cash here. The case of children should be dealt with upon the basis of your shipping arrangements for them : that is to say, for those for whom you have to pay half the cost of a statute adult, you should exact promissory notes or cash payments in the same proportions I have named ; whilst infants, for whom you have not to pay, should of course be shipped free. In thus reverting to the promissory note system, I think you should make widely known the exceeding liberality of the colony in dealing with immigrants. I append a draft form of notice, which you should freely distribute, in the form of a hand-bill, throughout the country, as well as advertise" it, or a summary ■ of it, in the newspapers, where it iB most likely to be seen by working men. The Government think it not desirable that you should obtain many emigrants from the large manufacturing towns ; but in smaller towns, and in those of agricultural districts, as well as in the agricultural districts generally, you cannot too widely disseminate a knowledge of the New Zealand immigration arrangements. The draft notice I enclose is merely a sketch, and you are at liberty to remodel it. I think that it should contain—l. A statement of the numbers you propose to send out during several months in advance, and the ports and provinces to which you propose to send them. 2. A statement of the terms upon which immigrants will be accepted, including, generally, the nature of the necessary certificate. 3. The reception of immigrants in depot in this country (if they go to depot), and on board ship. 4. The dietary scale, with that of the Emigration Commissioners placed by its side, so as to allow of comparison. 5. The reception of immigrants in the colony. Under this last head, it should be explained that immigrants are sent to a depot and maintained there ; that after two or three days, engagements are made there; but that some of the Immigrants are generally sent to a country depot, where engagements can equally well be made. Without pledging yourself or the Government that every immigrant will be maintained in depot for any specified time, beyond three or four days if necessary, you might safely state that where n reasonable desire to accept employment offered to them is shown by immigrants, they need not incur expense of any moment from the time they land in the colony until they obtain employment there. This information might ease the minds of many suitable persons who, desiring to emigrate to New Zealand, might still hesitate, because they doubt as to what they are to do between the time of landing and of getting employment. You might give some further particulars about the rates of wages and the rapidity with which immigrants are absorbed. You should be careful not to let the emigrants suppose that you guarantee any rate of wages. As you know, the Government do not endeavor to raise or lower the rates of employment, and the emigrants should clearly understand that the promissory notes are not used for the purpose of forcing them into distasteful labor or at distasteful rates. Within a reasonable time after their arrival, the immigrants may acquire the franchise and political power ; and there is no country in the world possessed of more liberal provisions for the education of all classes. A reference to the facilities offered for education might appropriately be made in the notice. J attach much importance to your stating in the notice that persons applying at your office, as already described, can obtain the presence of an officer to give them all the information they desire about the colony. The notice should be circulated in very large numbers. The more you circulate it the larger will be the number of applications you receive and your range of selection of the numbers you require.

Our space does not admit of publishing the "skeleton of suggested form of notice "to intending emigrants," which is appended to the instructions to the Agent-General, and which he appears to have published without modification, judging from Sir Julius "Vooel's latest letters to Dr. Featherston. Wo think this was a mistake on the part of the Agent-General, as the document bears on the face of it that it was not intended for publication in that shape. It was fortunate for the colony, however, that Ministers had speedy means of communication with London, and so put an end to the mischief. This colony can afford to continue free emigration for at least two years on the scale determined by Ministers, who are better able to judge of the requirements of the country than persons at a distance from it. No doubt Sir Julius Vogel was influenced by the best possible motives in issuing these instructions, but the labor requirements of New Zealand are far from being satisfied ; —the most conspicuous testimony that can be found to the wisdom of the policy of public works and immigration which he inaugurated. On reading over these instructions every one must admire the great ability and forethought displayed in their preparation. Nothing could possibly be more admirable.