PARLIAMENT.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 4547, 16 October 1875, Page 2

PARLIAMENT.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. Friday, October 15. The Hon. the Speaker took the chair at the usual hour. reports. The Hon. Dr. POLLEN brought up the report of the committee appointed to draw up the reasons of the Council for persisting in their amendments to the Otago Waste Lauds Act. The report was read, and ordered to be transmitted to the House of Representatives. The Hon. Sir. WATERHOUSE presented the report of the Martin Grant Bill Committee. The committal of the Bill was made an oorder of the day for Tuesday next. ■ The Hon. Mr, MILLER brought up the report of the select committee on the Employment of Females Bill, the consideration of which was made an order of the day for Tuesday next. DUNEDIN WATERWORKS BILL. The Hon. Mr. HOLMES asked for the suspension of the standing orders, in order that the Dunedin Waterworks Bill might be placed on the order paper ; unless it were done today, there would be little chance of its passing. He mentioned that the opposition it had met with in the Lower House from Mr. McGlashan, had been withdrawn. The Hon. the SPEAKER stated that he had received a petition against the Bill, and wished to know whether that opposition had been withdrawn. The Hon. Mr. HOLMES said he had been given to understand all opposition was withdrawn. The Hon. Dr. POLLEN said he should vote against the suspension of the standing orders for the introduction of a private Bill. Moreover, he could not see the urgency of the case as it seemed to appear to the mover. He intended to move at the rising of the Council, that the Council resume business on Monday, so there was all probability of there being three sitting days next week. The Hon. Col. KENNY opposed the suspension of the standing orders, and suggested that the Council sit on Saturday, (to-day.) A desultory discussion took place, and the Hon. Col. Kenny eventually moved that the Council sit on Saturday, and that the Bill be made an order of the day. Carried unanimously. GOVERNMENT CONTRACTS. The Hon. Mr. WATERHOUSE moved that, in the opinion of that Council, no agreement nor contract entered into by the Government subject to the concurrence or ratification of the General Assembly was binding upon the colony until it had received the concurrence of that branch of the Legislature. He was not going to enter into a discussion of the merits of any particular contract. It would be quite competent for the Council to do so; but their practice had been to regard those matters as coming more specially within the province of the other branch of the Legislature; and further, it was not usual, unless there was some pressing urgency, to enter into discussions of that character. He then proceeded to inform the Council what had been the practice of the Colonial Government and the Legislature with regard to these contracts, and quoted from the Act of 1870. It would be seen that contracts entered into by the Governwere subject to the ratification of the General Assembly. No resolution had been brought forward to obtain from the Council a ratification of the mail contract entered into by Mr. Thomas Russell on behalf of the Government, notwithstanding that the agreement expressly stated that the contract was subject to the ratification of the General Assemblies of New Zealand and New South Wales, and that the Legislative Council was a part of the General Assembly. The contract could only be ratified by the passing of a Bill through both branches of the Legislature. Unless that were done, the persons entering into the contract would have good reason to complain of the action of the Government. The Hon. Dr. POLLEN said the remarks which had fallen from the Hon. Mr. Waterhouse affirmed a truism that he had no difficulty in accepting, but he did not know that they should be able to agree as to its application to the particular instance mentioned. He quite agreed as to the desirability of obtaining the concurrence of the Legislative Council, but that concurrence was expressed in their consent to the passing of the Appropriation Act. The Hon. Mr. HOLMES contended that the Council should have an opportunity of expressing its opinion regarding the contract. Supposing any difficulty arose with respect to it, and supposing the Council were called upon to take any steps in the matter, a feeling might be engendered not at all in accordance with that entertained by the House of Representatives. ' .

The Hon. Mr. PEACOCK agreed with the mover of the resolution. The Hon. the SPEAKER referred to the Act of 1865 for a precisely similar case to the present. They (the Council) were then permitted to enter into the ratification ; now they were not. It would, therefore, be for the Council to decide whether the precedent should be followed. If the contract was •to be embodied in the Appropriation Act, he as Speaker of the Council should regard it as tacked to the Appropriation Act.

The Hon. Mr. HART stated that a contract could not be ratified by a mere appropriation of annual payments ; and referred the Council to a case in England, namely, that of Mr. Ward against the Lords of the Admiralty. The Hon. Mr. WATERHOUSE having replied, The question was put and carried. The Hon. Mr. WATERHOUSE moved that there be laid upon the table of the Council a copy of the contract entered into between the .General Government and the Wellington Steam Navigation Company for the performance of the coastal service between Wellington and Napier.—Carried. BILLS. The second reading of the Riddell Grant Bill was postponed till Tuesday. The Stamp Pee Bill was further considered in committee, and read a third time and passed. The Clutha Rivers Conservators Board Bill was postponed. The Wellington Reclaimed Land Bill was read a second time, and its committal made an order of the day for Monday. The Invercargill Public Offices Site Bill was read a second time, committed, and read a third time.

The Moeraki Harbor Board Bill was read a second time, and passed through committee, with amendments. Its third reading was made an order of the day for next day. The Municipal Corporations Loan Bill, and the Goldfields Act Amendment Bill (No. 1) were read a third time. The New Zealand University Reserves Bill was read a second time. The Stamp Bill was re-committed, and slight amendments made, and its third reading made an order of the day for next day. The Dunedin Corporation Borrowing Powers -Extension and Debentures Bill was further considered in committee, and ordered to be read a third time next day. The Otago Harbor Board Empowering Bill was read a second time, committed, and ordered to be read a third time next day. The Napier Harbor Board Bill was read a second time and committed, reported on, and the third reading fixed for next day. The orders of the day for Tuesday next were made orders of the day for Monday. The Council, at its meeting to-day, will consider the third readings of several Bills and private business. The Council then adjourned. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Friday, October 15. The House met at 2.30 p.m. The Speaker took the chair. REPORTS. Several reports were brought up, one from the committee appointed to inquire into the sale of the Piako-Waikato swamp to Mr. Thomas Bussell and others. MESSAGE FROM THE GOVERNOR. A message was received from the Governor, assenting to a large number of Bills which

have been passed during the session, inclusive of the Abolition of Provinces Act. NOTICES. Mr. JACKSON gave notice of his intention to move for an additional member for Waikato. » Mr. SWANSON to move for copies of correspondence between Mr. jMantell and Dr. Pollen, with regard to items in the expenditure of £SOO voted for the Museum. QUESTIONS. Mr. TAIAROA asked if the Government would restore any portion or portions of the confiscated lands in Waikato to Tawhiao and others ? Sir DONALD McLEAN said the Government were not disposed to interfere with the confiscated lands, but felt bound to adhere to the decision of the Assembly which had legalised the confiscatisn; but land had been bought in the Waikato district for Tawhiao and the Government would be prepared to deal fairly with him.

Mr. TAIAROA asked if the Government would give effect to the report of the Native Affairs Committee on the petition of Mere Taituha ? Sir DONALD McLEAN ; Yes, Mr, SWANSON asked the Commissioner of Customs, if he would lay before the House, a return of the names of captains and officers to whom certificates of competency have been granted from the Marine department, with the name of the ports at which such certificates have been issued ? Also, a list of steam vessels- to which certificates have been issued, and from what port ?

The Hon. Mr. REYNOLDS said the greater part of the information asked for was to be found in the Marine statement ; but if further details were required, they would be furnished. Mr. SWANSON asked the Defence Minister, if he would lay before the House the report of Colonel Moule on Mr. J. C. SoaU’s paper on Practical Musketry, referred to him by the Petitions Committee of Session 1873 ? Sir DONALD McLEAN said it was clear that Mr. Soall was. an enthusiast in this matter, and the Government had desired to give every facility possible for trying the experiment. .Colonel Moule had not reported favorably upon it, but Mr. Soall had paid very much attention to the matter, and had always taken a great interest in the Volunteer movement. Therefore the Government were quite ready to give his proposition a fair trial. The report would be laid upon the table. Mr. BRYCE asked the Government, whether they would give effect to the report of the Petitions Committee on the petition of the inhabitants of Wanganui, relative to the socalled industrial school of that town ? He said the report in effect was this, that during the recess the Government should take into serious consideration, with a view to legislative action, the advisableness of placing the institution under the control of trustees, for the purpose of ensuring the carrying out of the original intention of the founders of that school. The Hon. Mr. BOWEN said the Government would earnestly endeavor to carry out the recommendation contained in the report, and would give their best attention to the whole matter.

In answer to Mr. MervyN, The Hon. Major ATKINSON said the difficulties connected with the declaration of Hundreds in Otago had been removed, and the Hundreds had been gazetted.Mr. SWANSON asked the Native Minister whether effect would be given to the report of the Native Affairs Committee bn the petition of Mataha Mokai ? Sir DONALD McLEAN said the Court of Appeal had decided that this native had no claim to the piece of land at Wairarapa in dispute, and the Government did not consider it advisable as a matter of policy to issue a Crown grant. Mr. RICHMOND, without notice, by leave, asked whether the Commissioner of Telegraphs was prepared to recommend a reduction in the charges for telegraphic messages to evening papers.- . .. The Hon. Mr. REYNOLDS said this was a question which had occupied attention ever since the inauguration of the telegraphic system, and the subject of the reduction of charges to evening papers had received very careful consideration and investigation. The Government had come to the decision to allow two hundred words at one shilling per hundred, but bejond that they must pay the same rates as commercial and other messages paid; and the Government were not prepared to grant any further concession, because were it granted it would be at a considerable loss to the department, and at a risk of clogging the lines and excluding messages which were sent at a profit, besides creating a spirit of dissatisfaction amongst those who paid full rates. The Dress telegrams did not at all recoup the department for the expenses attending their transmission, and if this new concession were granted, it would result in increased loss. After a reference to a report which had been brought up by a commission appointed in America to consider the telegraphic system, and which had reported that Press mesages were transmitted at a loss to the department, he said the Government could not make the proposed reduction, and if a committee were appointed to consider the matter, they would support the Government. Mr. PYKE asked the Commissioner of Customs to reconsider his decision. HONORARIUM TO MEMBERS. The Hon. Major ATKINSON intimated his intention of bringing down, on Monday, a Bill to regulate members’ honorarium. NEW BILL. The Hon. Mr. BOWEN introduced a Bill to amend the Wellington Hospital Loan Act, 1875. CANTERBURY EDUCATION BOARD BILL. A discussion ensued on the question that the House go into committee on this Bill, and after Sir Craceofi Wilson and Messrs. Gibbs and Bluett had spoken, the motion was agreed to. In committee, Mr. Andrew moved an amendment to the effect that Canterbury should be divided into nine educational electoral districts, and the Board be elected from these districts. ■ Amendment negatived. Some trifling amendments were made, and the Bill was then reported, read a third time, and passed. IMMIGRANTS LAND ACT AMENDMENT BILL. The Hon. Major ATKINSON moved the second reading of this Bill, and said several cases of hardship had occurred tmder_ the Immigration Act. Persons did not strictly comply with the letter of the conditions to be observed before leaving the old country, and although the spirit of the Act might have been complied with, he was powerless to sell the land. This Act proposed to enable the issue of orders in council, rectifying errors where the Governor in Council is satisfied that the immigrant really intended to fulfil all the conditions of the Act. After some discussion, the second reading was agreed to. The Bill was subsequently committed, reported, read a third time, and passed. VINCENT LAND PURCHASE BILL. This Bill was passed through committee, reported, read a third time, and passed. IMMIGRATION AND PUBLIC WORKS ACT AMENDMENT BILL. This Bill was further considered in commitee, reported with amendments, read a third time, and passed. PROVINCIAL APPROPRIATIONS EXTENSION BILE. The Hon. Major ATKINSON moved the second reading of this Bill, which he said had been rendered necessary by the House having decided that Provincial Councils should not meet again. He explained the provisions of the Bill, and said there was no desire on the part of the General Government to interfere with the Superintendents more than was absolutely necessary under the Abolition of Provinces Act; and he said further, that if the Consolidated Revenue was sufficient to meet the charges which would fall upon it in respect of this Act, debentures would not be issued. The Bill was passed through all stages. RESOLUTIONS REPORTED FROM COMMITTEE OF SUPPLY. On this order of the day being called, The Hon, Mr. PITZHERBERT asked

when the Appropriation Bills would he brought down ? The Hon. Major ATKINSON said probably on Monday or Tuesday. The Son. Mr. FITZHERBERT said he hoped the House would accept the opportunity of discussing the finances of the colony.. : The Hon. Major ATKINSON sincerely trusted that such a debate woidd take place, and that the finances of the colony would be thoroughly discussed. After some few remarks from other speakers, WELLINGTON HOSPITAL LOAN ACT, 1875, AMENDMENT BILL. This Bill, which was introduced to correct an error in the former Act, was passed through all‘stages. ' ; IMMIGRATION STATEMENT. • The Hon. Major ATKINSON, on the House resolving itself into Committee of Supply, took the opportunity of making a. statement upon the general position of immigration. He said it had been a cause of considerable regret that a statement on so important a subject should have been dealt with at so late a period of the session, but he had found it impossible, owing to the press of business, to take an earlier opportunity of placing the matter before the House. The total number of immigrants who ■had arrived in the colony, under the Immigration and Public Works scheme, up to the present time, was 61,000. In 18i2, 700 arrived ; in 1873, 16,800 ; in 1874, 17,500; in 1875, 13,000; and during the last three months, 6000. They had been distributed amongst the various provinces as follows ; —Auckland, 8700 ; Taranaki, 1400 ; Hawke’s Bay, 4800 ; Wellington, 9300; Marlborough, 1086; Nelson, X9QO- Westland, 600; Canterbury, 16,000; and . Otago, 18,000.. Of these, 19,700 were married people, 13,900 single men, 9600 single women, and 17,000 children. The general plan which had been followed was either to select immigrants nominated, or to give free passages to persons selected in England. The persons who had come out under the latter arrangement were married men under 45 years, single men under 40 years, single women under 45 years; and children, so long as there were not more than three in a family. In the event of there being more than three children in a single family, payment for the ' difference had been taken in promissory notes; but the promissory notes on account ef these and the system of assisted passages before free immigration was introduced) had not been at all a satisfactory arrangement for the colony. (Hear, hear.) There had been a misapprehension created a few months ago by a report that the Government were importing immigrants for the' benefit of other colonies. It had been said that a large number of people were being brought into the colony simply to leave it for neighboring colonies ; but the fact was that ever since the introduction —or at any rate since the Immigration and Public Works scheme had been fairly initiated the colony had gained very considerably, not only by immigration, but from the Australian colonies, and from other parts.. In addition to the number of immigrants received from England, there was a balance of arrivals over departures last year of 2570 ; and there had been additions to this during the last few months ; and up to August, 1875, there was a total balance in favor of the colony of 2695. So that he thought the House might rest assured • that the inducements New Zealand holds cut to immigrants were clearly recognised, and it was a cause for rejoicing to think that a large- number of people were being attracted from the neighboring colonies and America. (Hear, hear.) The nationalities of the immigrants were ;—English, 34,000 ; Irish, 11,900; Scotch, 9000; foreigners from different countries, 5400. He had had a statement prepared, showing as nearly as possible the trades and callings of the immigrants ; but it was not a very reliable, one, and he should, instead of troubling the House by reading it, merely place it upon. the table. The reason why it was not reliable was this, that there could be no doubt at all that large numbers of persons came out, describing themselves as some trade or another, while they actually had no trade whatever. Thus, clerks came out as agricultural laborers, and so on—a fact that to a certain extent showed a want of proper examination on the part of the agents at Home. But upon, the whole he thought there was every reason to be-thoroughly satisfied with the immigrants physically and morally. (Hear, hear.) He had taken some little pains to look into the matter, because there had been wonderful stories abroad of the bad character of some of those whom the Government had introduced into the colony. ,It was said they were fit for nothing but to live upon charity ; but ' from what he had been able to learn by inquiry and personal observation, he did not think the statements justified bv facts. A return which he had had prepared, showing the. total, number of immigrants who.' had been committed for various crimes up to the 30th August of this year, and from that it appeared that out of 60.000 who had been introduced into the - colony there had been only 489 - committals. Of these, 156 were for drunkenness, 41 petty offences, and 91 unspecified, and these no doubt were trifling offences, or they would have been specified. So that nearly 300 committals were for really trifling offences, and as for the drunkenness, it was reasonable to expect that immigrants arriving after a long voyage would indulge a little ; therefore there was evidence of the existence of an exceedingly satisfactory state of morality amongst the immprrants brought out, for about 200 only had been committed out of over 60,000 immigrants introduced. Then it had been said they were bringing out lunatics. He had seen a statement in one of the papers finding great fault with the Government for bringing out lunatics, and the writer went on to say that of the lunatics who had been committed to the asylum in question 50 per cent, were Government immigrants. He (the Minister for Immigration) had made inquiries into the matter, and found that the total number of persons who had been confined in the asylum, from immigrants, was two. The total number in lunatic asylums out of the 60.000 was 47, and of these 20 had been discharged, so that the real number was 27, out of 60,000. That also showed care in selection, for undoubtedly almost _ that number would have been effected by tedious voyages and other causes. There was one point with regard to the introduction of immigrants which was not satisfactory, and that was the deathrate on board ships. He might say it had caused bim a great deal of uneasiness; and the Go vernment had endeavored not only to find out the cause, hilt to remedy it and render the voyages really healthy. They knew this deathrate had not been so large in former years, even a single death caused surprise. He was sorry to say the death-rate hail been so high, particularly in children ; but the Government had taken steps which they hoped would result in its being considerably diminished, though he confessed that he had not yet been satisfied as to the real cause of the deaths. The total number of deaths had been 1244 ; of these, infants under one year of age numbered 502; children between one and three years, 445; between three and five, 100; between five and twelve, 47; twelve and upwards, 150. The total number of infants brought out was only 6670, but of these 500 had died, which was not satisfactory. The infant death,-rate had been 18'8, which was an enormous proportion; the average between one and twelve had been 373; and the average rate of adults had been 0’34. Of the immigrants who bad arrived, 6830 had been nominated, and in passing he might say he believed no doubt existed as to the fact that nominated immigrants were the best, and that system was the best system that could be adopted, and the Government could not do better than to give ijvery inducement to people to come out under that system. It was an immense advantage to new arrivals to have friends who could advise fhem and see to them after they had lauded. No Government officer could possibly assist a stranger in the way relatives or friends could. But there did not appear to bo a proper appreciation of this system, for although there had been no less than 42,300 nominated, up to the present time only 6800 had arrived ; but he trusted the system would still continue, and he believed the Agent-General was thoroughly awake to the very*great desirableness of encouraging that class of immigration.

Referring to the subject of the cost of immigration, he said he calculated the expenses of each immigrant—excluding the cost of depots, and without making an asset of the bills which they held—had been up to the present time just under £2llos. for eachadult, and £23 133. perhead. Ashehad previously stated, thepromisory notes taken from immigrants for payment towards passages of children who exceeded the number allowed, might be over age, or otherwise unsuitable, and also the taken before free immigration had set in had not proved profitable for the Government. The total amount _of these notes taken was something like £6/,766 ; hut he might as well state it: the total amount collected, notwithstanding .very great efforts had been made, was about £5600, so there was outstanding about £51,000 on promissory notes. The Government had therefore set their faces against receiving any more promissory notes, intending to take a smaller amount in cash, m order that arrangements might be completed by which there would be nothing hanging over immigrants on arrival, and enabling them to start °free. - He thought the House would agree with him that it must be very demoralising that a man should give a promissory note, and then on coming out and finding that other men had o-otout free, repudiate the note, or feel that he had something hanging over him which other men had not. This must check his usefulness as a citizen, and injure his morality. As hon. gentlemen knew from papers which had been laid upon the table, the Agent-General, under instructions from Sir Julius Vogel, intended to enter into a new contract for the introduction of immigrants, and the price per head had been enlarged. The contract, so far as they knew at the present time, had not been signed. In the letters which had been received last month it was stated that the contract was awaiting the return of the Agent-General from the Continent; but the letters received on Thursday informed the Government that the contract would be brought into operation in August, though it was not said that the contract was actually signed. He then proceeded to refer to the cost, and stated that an advance of £llls. per head had been made, in order to provide certain extra provisions on board the immigrant vessels, which was in accordance with the advice of the doctors. He thought that the House, when it considered the arrangements of which he had given them an account, would see that it would be a great mistake to attempt to cut down the prices. It was far better, and in the end far cheaper, to spend a pound or so more than was allowed by the original dietary scale, because by so doing the immigrants were less likely to be subject to fever and other diseases. The Government had determined to cancel the Scandinavian contract, as it had been found that they could now get as many immigrants from England ani Scotland as the colony was likely to require. Therefore in all probability they should have only one or two.more ships of Scandinavian immigrants. The total number of Scandinavians which had arrived up tq the present time, was 3327. On the whole these were a satisfactory class of immigrants. As a matter of course there were a few that compared unfavorably with the whole, but even those were quite as good as could be reasonably expected. As hon. gentlemen would have seen, from papers laid on. the .table of the- House, considerable differences had arisen between the Agent-General in England and the Government; and the general condition of the AgentGeneral’s office was not considered to be quite satisfactory. The Government last year appointed a gentleman from Canterbury as permanent under secretary of that department, and he went Home about the same time as Mr. Vogel. By papers which, he (Major Atkinson) had laid upon the table, hon. members would see that Mr.. Vogel gave directions as to the rules to be observed in that office ; and there was every reason to believe that very great advantage would result from Sir Julius Vogel’s visit to England, and from the arrangements made in the office of the Agent-General. They had published in England during the year a second addition of the “ Handbook,” and it appeared that very good results had arisen from the distribution of this book in England. They heard that it had awakened a lively interest in New Zealand, not only among the laboring classes, but among farmers and small capitalists; and further, men of considerable means had been induced to come out from their attention being called, to the colony through the “ Handbook.” The cost of it had already been laid upon the table of the House, and he thought it must be regarded as a very good investment. Turning to another point in the. subject of his address, he said hon. gentlemen were aware that when the scheme of immigration was first introduced the Superintendents of the various provinces were invited to assist the Government in the location of the immigrants. Since then numbers of immigrants had been arriving, and the local administration had practically rested with the Superintendents ; and since he (Major Atkinson) had had the direction of the department he must say that he had received every assistance from those gentlemen, who had endeavored to carry out the work they had undertaken on behalf of the colony. But he must-also say that they had not devised any proper scheme for settling the immigrants upon land. Upon this matter his own view was quite clear. He thought that, considering that they had undertaken the management of the immigrants, it was clearly their duty (and not that of the General Government) to provide for their distribution and settlement, but he did not altogether agree with those gentlemen who considered that nothing had been done in this direction. He had had the pleasure of visiting Otago and Canterbury lately, and he must say that the efforts of the Superintendent of the latter had been very great indeed to get the people settled about the country, both by grants in aid and personal attention. Efforts had also been made in Otago, but not to such a large extent as in Canterbury. He had no hesitation in saying that it would be the duty of the General Government to provide means for the settlement of these immigrants, when they assumed the government of the colony in place of Provincial Governments; but, as he had said before, he altogether denied that there had been any laxity on the part of the Government up to the present time. There had been every desire, both on the part of the General and Provincial Governments, to do their utmost for those people who had been landed in large numbers in the colony, and he thought a very great deal had been done to settle those people. He had no doubt that men who had been one or two years in the colony were in a better position to take up land, and would do much more good now than if given land on the day they landed. He therefore looked forward with great confidence to the whole of those people being satisfactorily settled, and making real homes for themselves and their children. Some little attempt had been made in the way of special settlement. The settlement to which the Native Minister had alluded could not be taken in any way to be a Government settlement ; but it would have been quite impossible for it to have succeeded had not the Government given it all the assistance in its power. That settlement was fairly going, and he thought the General and Provincial Governments might take considerable credit for the success which attended it. There were at present in the Parnell settlement over a thousand people settled; the corporation introduced about 770. There was also a satisfactory settlement at Katikati. There the immigrants had only just arrived, but there were already 238 who had settled upon land. Attempts had also been made in the two Scandinavian settlements of Hawke’s Bay and Wellington, and these were progressing satisfactorily ; and as far as could be seen, the immigrants who took up land in these places would succeed in making permanent homes for themselves. A settlement had also been established by the Superintendent of Nelson at Karamea, and that was likely to prove a great success. The Superintendent of Nelsonhad also established a settlement at Jackson’s Bay, and from representations made regarding it, high expectations were entertained of°succeas in that direction. The proposals for this year were that 13,000 immigrants should beintroduced. Hon. member wouldsee bypapers laid on the table that Sir Julius Vogel ordered 25,000 this year; but it had been determined to have no more promissory notes, and to revert to the system of free passages, and there-

fore to provide for 13,000 only. The proportion of immigrants to each province was as follows;—Auckland, 2200 ; Taranaki, 600 ; Hawke’s Bay, 1000; Wellington, 2000; Marlborough, , Nelson, and Westland, 400 each ; Dunedin, 2000; Invercargill, 1000; and'Canterbury, 3000. By the latest advices, the following had been despatched ;—Auckland, 1289$ ; Taranaki, 324$ ; Hawke’s Bay, 440$ ; Wellington, 1448 ; Marlborough, Nelson, and Westland, 55$ ; Dunedin, 17775; Invercargill, 5065; and Canterbury, 12495. The effect of Sir Julius Vogel having ordered so large a number as 25,000 was that the order subsequently given for 13,000 would have been executed at an early period during the year, so that the last of the ships would be here either in September or October. He might state that the Government thought it a matter of great importance that a regular stream of immigration should be kept up, but they would avoid with great care introducing large numbers until they saw how those already in the colony settled down. It was, he thought, a matter for surprise that they had up to the present time succeeded in finding work for the large number of immigrants introduced. He had felt some anxiety on their account last winter, but it was a matter for great rejoicing that in no part of the country had there been found a lack of work. One hon. gentleman —he alluded to the member for Dunedin—wished to read a paper in the House the other night with regard to the labor market of Dunedin. It was a resolution got up by men calling themselves the unemployed of Dunedin. When statements of that sort got abroad, it was desirable that the real state of affairs should be known. He then read a telegram he had received from Dunedin as follows “ The so-called meeting of the unemployed was got up by Grant, McLaren, and Powditch, well-known demagogues in Dunedin. The majority of those at the meeting were not the unemployed. They attended to have some fun. The meeting was so ’ rowdy that the. reporters left. The demand for labor can be judged by the following facts ; —The Waimea arrived on the 18th Sept., with 267 adults ; the Invercargill on the 30th September, with 337 adults. All are now employed except twentysix and a-half adults in the depot to-day. Will be at work on Monday.—Signed, Colin Allan, Immigration Officer.” Now, they might judge from that what the statement as regards the labor market of Dunedin was worth. Nearly 600 people had found employ-, ment in one month. But it was necessary to state that he should have .to ask the committee for an advance of £50,000 over the sum proposed. The necessity of the advance arose in this way : An order per telegraph was sent Home for 13,000, and Sir Julius Vogel read it 13,000 “ adults,” so that they would in reality receive 15,500, and hence the necessity for the additional sum required. Major Atkinsou concluded by moving that the House go into Committee of Supply. Sir GEORGE GREY thought that the statement of the Colonial Treasurer showed that he had devoted great care and'consideration to his subject. He (Sir George) thought that the class of immigrants introduced had been satisfactory. The only regrettable point about the immigration scheme was the deathrate, but he .was glad to see the prompt measures taken by the Government to meet this. He thought it a , pity that Sir Julius Vogel’s proposition to introduce 25,000 this year had not been carried out.. He could only account for its - reduction by supposing , that Government anticipated a crisis ,in finance, and endeavored to prepare for it. He yet however hoped that Government would reconsider their decision. The part of the statement from which he disagreed was that seemingly censuring the provincial authorities. (Major Atkinson denied having thrown blame on the Provincial Governments.) He thought that everyone had derived from the statement an impression similar to his. It was admitted that no more signal proof of the prosperity attendant upon immigration had been afforded by any. country than that afforded by New Zealand. .He attributed that, to the conduct of settlement of immigrants by the provinces, and predicted failure if this were put into the hands of the General Government. Sir George Grey concluded by hoping that the original plan of Sir Julius Vogel would be carried out, and 25,000 people introduced this year. Mr. ,T. KELLY defended the conduct of settlement under the auspices of Provincial Governments.

Mr. McGILLIVRAY expressed a hope that the Government would take the settlement of the country into earnest consideration. The Hon. Mr. FITZHERBERT woidd have liked to have had more explicit information with regard to that class of immigration derived from countries other than Great Britain. That class of immigration, though unpopular at first, had now become admittedly a great success, and he should regret if it were true that, after expense had been gone to in order to found agencies for this immigration, Sir Julius Vogel had given orders to have it stopped. Mr. PEARCE . hoped that publicity would be given to the stoppage of immigration from countries other than Great Britain, as he was aware that money had been sent home by Scandinavians and others, to enable their relatives to reach the nearest port of shipment, whence they could come free to this country. It would he a great disappointment if these people were to come to the port, and then find free immigration stopped. Mr. REEVES supported the Government plan of not bringing iu 25,000 immigrants this year but confining immigration to 13,000 people. He had heard the statement of the Colonial Treasurer with much satisfaction, and thought that it proved the excellent administration of the department. . ; Sir CRACROFT WILSON warmly testified to the manner in which immigration had been carried on.

Mr. HUNTER hoped the statement they had heard would be printed, as it was most valuable. He had heard the statementwith peculiar satisfaction, because it had cast no reflection on the Agent-General, but had testified to his having satisfactorily carried out his duties. He thought it was better to get a judicious selection of immigrants whose passages were paid rather than revert to the wretched system of taking promissory notes. It was not to be wondered at that immigrants had been attracted from the Australian colonies, as the wages and circumstances of the laboring classes were much better here than there. He bore testimony to the excellent and creditable class of immigrants that had been introduced. Messrs. Reid, Gibbs, and the Hon. Mr. Richardson having spoken, Mr. MACANDREW asked the Colonial Treasurer if the Clyde line of ships for immigration from the Clyde to Dunedin had been stopped, and the Albion Company had not been permitted to tender in the same way as the New Zealand Shipping Company and Shaw, Savill, and Co. ? Mr. CARRINGTON thought that Iceland, since the recent earthquakes and eruptions, would be a favorable field from which to obtain immigrants. Mr. WALES advocated a system of free nominated immigration. The Hon. Major ATKINSON, in reply, said that though an immigration of 15,000 souls seemed ample to the Government, still arrangements had been made by which the supply could be increased. The great object was to keep up a steady stream of immigration. The Government had no idea of stopping immigration from Scotland. He had had no intimation on the subject from Home. Mr. Macandrew bad most likely mistaken for a cessation of immigration from Scotland the announcement [that all the immigrants from there for this year had been sent. With regard to the Albion Company not having had a chance of tendering for the conveyance of immigrants, he had had a letter from Mr. Vogel, by which it appeared that a portion of the business from London, and all that from Scotland, had been left open to the Albion Company. [Left sitting.]