EMIGRATION TO SOUTHLAND.

Southland Times, Volume III, Issue 200, 10 January 1866, Page 2

EMIGRATION TO SOUTHLAND.

TO THE EDITOfi OF THE SOUTHLAND TIMES. Sib, — I am exceedingly glad to perceive that the subject of immigration is now fairly before the public, and judging from the general tone of feeling, I think this question is likely to assume very important dimensions. When it is recollected that this subject forms' annually the principal topic for lengthened debate in the different colonial parliaments ; that each Government throughout Australia — indeed I might go further, and state throughout the entire British colonial possessions — offers in most cases very liberal inducements to the intending emigrant to settle in the respective colonies — the importance of the subject will be at once recognised. In this province, possessing as it does, magnificent agricultural country — unequalled in any other part of the colony — the new home of thousands of our fellow countrymen — who are ea^er and willing to invest their small capital in homesteads in New Zealand, if only made acquainted with the large undeveloped resources of the country, it does seem strange that we, whose almost very existence depends upon population, — whose importance as a province depends in a very great measure upon the extent and wealth of its inhabitants — should look on apathetically without endeavoring to make the varied capab ilities of this beautiful province more generally known in Great Britan. It must be remembered, also, that in this matter we must entirely depend upon ourselves —we must not expect any assistance from the General Government in this movement, nor, indeed, I am inclined to think, in any of local interest — nor is it fair to expect it ; but we must endeavor vigorously and earnestly to devise such means as will ensure two objects of paramount importance, viz., — Firstly, to have the capabilities and resources of this province widely disseminated throughout Great Britain 5 and secondly, to offer such advantages to the intending emigrant as will induce him to select Southland as his future home. In conclusion, I trust that an influential and numerous assemblage on Wednesday evening will show the belief in -the importance of the subject, and the manner in which it is appreciated by the public. AN OLD EESIDENT.