SIR J. VOGEL ON EMIGRATION TO NEW ZEALAND.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 5224, 19 December 1877, Page 3

SIR J. VOGEL ON EMIGRATION TO NEW ZEALAND.

In reply to a letter which appeared in the Weekly Dispatch of an early date in October, Sir Julius Vogel writes the following letter to that journal : Sir,—Will you permit me to say a few words in reply to a letter signed “ Mizpah,” dated Melbourne, August 1, which appeared in your paper of the 7th inst. ? It is quite true that I am instructed to send out during the present year 5000 emigrants to New Zealand, divided as follows :—I7OO to Otago, 1700 to Canterbury, 400 to Wellington, 400 to Auckland, 400 to Hawke’s Bay, and 100 each to Nelson, Westland, Taranaki, and Marlborough. These emigrants are to be of the following classes:—Farm laborers, shepherds, carpenters, bricklayers, and single women, domestic servants; giving preference, however, to those, whatever their vocation may be, who are nominated by their friends in the colony. There are always a largo number of persons nominated in this manner. Your correspondent is doubtless correct in stating that there are some unemployed men in the colony. In no country could it be otherwise; but it is contrary to common sense to suppose that the Government of the colony is voluntarily incurring expense in bringing out emigrants who are not required. Nothing can he more embarrassing to any Government than the demands made by unemployed persons. It is the custom all over the world, wherever there is a tendency to an excessive immigration to a country, to warn persons intending to immigrate to that country that they are not likely to procure employment. Thus, the authorities of New York have issued warnings against the continuation of emigration from Ireland, whilst from this side the intimation has been given that returning emigrants will find difficulty in procuring employment.

Frequently a colony, to the goldfields of which “a rush” is taking place, warns its neighbors that there is no room for more people. To suppose that the Government of New Zealand, with a larger population in the colony than that for which employment can be found, not only encourages additional emigration, but pays for it, is to presume a course little short of insanity. The Government not only pays the emigrants’ passages, but • finds them for a time shelter and rations, and aids them in procuring employment. Is it to be believed it seeks to do this work in the face of an already excessive supply of labor ? Even if the Government were so inclined, would the people permit it? The instructions about emigration have been published in the colony, and the Colonial Parliament is in session.

I prefer dealing with this question in a general way, for the proposition is obvious that no Government would bo stupid or rash enough to spend public money in bringing people to a country' where there was not a good prospect for them. I may, however, add that the accounts I receive from New Zealand convince me that the colony, in

comparison with other countries, is m a high degree exceptionally prosperous. Acting under my instructions to be very particular in selecting emigrants, I have to refuse one out of every two applications made to me for free passages. I am under impression that those whoso applications are approved are very fortunate, and believe themselves to be so. It will be seen, therefore, that the encouragement given to emigration to New Zealand is discriminating. I have often to warn many people who ask my advice that I do not think they will do well in the colony. It would be a mistake to conclude that persons of all occupations, ages, and surroundings, would be likely to he successful.—-I am, sir, yours, &0.,

Julius Vogel, Agent-General for New Zealand.

The Dispatch thus makes reply to the letter of the Agent-General : Sir Julius Vogel, the representative in this country of the New Zealand Government, takes exception to certain allegations made in a letter from an emigrant which we printed last week. We publish his communication in another column, but it is not likely to convert anyone to his view. Our _ correspondent adduced his own experience in support of statements repeatedly made to the effect that artisans and others are enticed from_ this country to New Zealand with the promise of lucrative employment, which, when they reach their destination, they often fail to obtain—and that through no fault of their own. Sir Julius Vogel’s answer to this complaint is summed up in a single sentence—• “No Government would be stupid or rash enough to spend public money in bringing people to a country where there was not a good prospect for them to which, he adds, “The accounts I receive from New Zealand coviuce me that the colony,in comparison with other countries, is in a high degree exceptionally prosperous.” The second assertion depends upon facts, as to which our own information differs from that of Sir Julius Vogel. The first is ahold assumpt ou which the financial and commercial history of New Zealand, while he was its Prime Minister, by no means justifies. New Zealand may hereafter become one of the richest and most prosperous colonies of England. All its natural endowments are in its favor. But, originally the sport of philanthropise enthusiasts, and then the prey of greedy adventurers, it is now in the hands of financiers, who, perhaps, from honest motives, use it as a field for experiments that are, to say the least, very dangerous to all but themselves. To give it a semblance of rapid progress, they are stocking it with docks, railways, and the like, which, however desirable in themselves, are far beyond the requirements of the colony. To erect these works they invite to it English working men, and to pay them and pay for their materials they saddle the local Government with monstrous debts. The colony is now, and has been for a long time past, practically insolvent. It is, therefore, an altogether unsafe and unsuitable field for emigration; and, without at present referring to other aspects of its condition, we advise all intending settlers in it to pay heed to the warning of our last week’s correspondent, instead of listening to the specious words of its official auolnqist. ,