PUBLIC MEETING- AT THE THEATRE.

Southland Times, Volume III, Issue 202, 15 January 1866, Page 2

PUBLIC MEETING- AT THE THEATRE.

A public meeting was held at the Theatre Boyal on Wednesday evening last. The subject was the desirability of promoting emigration to this province from Great Britain. Mr. Kingsland was unanimously voted to the chair. The Chairman opened the proceedings by reading the advertisement convening the meeting. Mr. LtnttSDEN in moving the first resolution said he was glad to see that although some of the gentlemen who were expected to attend, were not there, yet they should, notwithstanding, get to business. He had not come prepared with a speech, although he might state his own opinion that we could not progress as a province without increased population. Our general prosperity would expand, and with the clearing of forest, and cultivation consequent upon the extension of settlement, the climate would be improved. A prejudice existed in some minds that immigration tended to produce a glut of labor — that the population introduced would not find employment — but that was all nonsense, and he could not agree with them. A larger population here would be of mutual benefit to each other. Of course there should be some selection in the class of immigrants; it would not do to have, for instance, a ship-load of carpenters or blacksmiths, as they would not all find employment. In utilising the jaw material we had, the labors of the agriculturist were chiefly required, although labor alone, without capita^, would be like'an engine without steam. This was alluded to in the resolution, and although at first sight it might appear that they were actuated by selfish views, yet there were thousands of our countrymen at home poorly paid, and struggling onwards aa small farmers, who. would in this province, in a few years raise themselves in the social scale in a manner they could never otherwise expect. He considered the thanks of the community were due to the convener of the meeting — Mr. Dalrympie — for his independent and energetic action. One reason to justify early action was, that the price of land would probably be raised to £2 per acre in two year's from this time, so that the inducements to invest now presented to the industrious settler or even the speculator would at the expiration of that time be lost. The subject was mooted in the resolution he had to propose of " employing means to inform the public mind in the mother country as to the real resources and advantages of Southland as a field for colonization." It would, he thought, be advisable to employ some one as an agent to perambulate the home country, as more good might be done and more information conveyed by actual conversation than by reading books. He remembered the success of the labors of Dr. Laing of Sydney, some twentyfive years ago, which were a good sample of what might be done. He (Mr. Lumsden) did not believe in giving a rose-colored account of colonial life, and would denounce any attempt to so depict it. The actual truth was for better giving to the hardy Briton a clear idea of the toils and hardhips to be endured by a colonist in connection with the success naturally attending upon enterprise. He, would now leave the resolution in the hands of the meeting. "That it is the opinion of this meeting that it is eminently desirable some steps be taken as ■ early as possible by our local Government to promote a resumption of emigration to this Province of such a class of emigrants as may be expected to advance the real settlement and improvement of the country. And that to further this object this meeting considers means ought to be adopted to inform the public mind in the mother country as to the resources and advantages of Southland ■83 a field for colonization." Mr. P. Dalbympi-e, in seconding the resol v " tion, said the last speaker had remarked that they were somewhat ill-used by the absence of persons expected. He himself felt quite the reverse. He believed this was the third meeting he had convened, each equally successful in obtaining the desired object — in one instance rather more in fact. What he desired it convening the meeting , was that the people of the Province might have a full and fair opportunity of expressing their opinion either for or against immigration from Great Britain and Ireland. In his opinion, the great necessity of this country was a population of fixed, industrious habits. Once that want Bupplied, everything else would follow. He had always contended for promoting emigration from among the yeomanry of the home country men eminently manly and true-hearted — small proprietors and farmers, who could, if need were, cultivate their own land — a similar class, in fact, to many of the early settlers of this Province. At the same time he would not wish to exclude the bone and sinew necessary to develope the wealth and strength of the country — the intelligent agricultural laborer and his family. Now that the General Government had given us liberal land laws, and, he believed, rendered us every assistance that reasonable people could desire, he had no hesitation in saying that the future prosperity of the Province depended upon the adoption of a v wise scheme of immigration. He hoped that some of those present would come forward and give their views on the subject. Mr. Beavejt, before the resolution was put desired to make a few remarks. A regular stream of immigration was desirable. Here we had at one time a regular, or rather irregular stream immigrants about two years ago, but during the last 18 months it had been the reverse, an exodus having followed upon the discovery of the West Coast Gold-fields. There could be no doubt chat all present would benefit by a steady influx of immigrants — the question was, have we superior induceraentsjto offer. If we could show nothing better than the old country its people had better remain thete. Hi 3 own firm conviction was that they would be better off here especially with reference to the small farmers — men with capital ranging from £100 to £1000 who could work on there own farms, and laborers. He had heard of their being a scarcity of employment but in his experience really useful men could always find work at first rate wages. One reason why capitalists did not come here was that litlte — either good or Jbad was known of the province abroad. Information on the subject there was almost none. When he came out to the colony 6ome six years agojheexperienced great difficulty in England in ascertaining anything respecting Otago and it was not till he got there and met older settlers that he hearfl anything of InvercargiDL The necessity for diffusing information about the Province was so much appreciated some two years since that a resolution was passed by the Provincial Council to offer a prize of £50 for the best pamphlet on the subject. This was before the crisis, which had since taken place, and was never carried into effect. He was, however, still of opinion that some such production authenticated by the names of well known colonists should be sent home not bearing the impress of a mere handbook issued by a shipping Company but as a work written by some one in the colony and conversant with its resources. This should be in addition to the services of a paid agent who might still further disseminate informationt on the subject. What was required was Ijhat every vessel . bringing i mmigrants should at the same time bring with itjthe capital requisite for the profitable employment of the accompanying labor, tfarmers, unlike merchants, were not monopolist* — they were glad to see an accession to the number of their neighbors — as for the first year or two at any rate they were consumers of the produce resulting from the labors of the first comers. There was now a farther inducement to colonization which did not exist two years ago,— the large mining pogulation on the West Coast affording a readily available outlet for produce On these considerations he should support the resolution. Mr Woods «aid he was surprised at the absence of title members for the town on that occasion, gome of them, who were members of the $$flou.tiY§ might feel » $$bws e^m taiiiig wa

active part in the proceeedings, but could not bo beaded as an excuse by the others. One of the four members for the town he did not see one present With regard to the most desirable class of immigrants, he agreed with previous speakers, That agricultural laborers and small capitalists W ere the best. Now that the .and laws .had been amended, there was every likelihood °f Government resuming public works whichwould afford a S>od opening to new comers With regard to Emigration from home, we ought to be able to show some strong inducement to counterbalance a natural unwillingness to sever social ties That we could offer such inducements, he agreed with Mr. Beaven in thinking in spite of the foul reports which through different mediums had gone home. Much as he respected the press in other respects he could not avoid mentioning the petty jealousies evinced Now an English, Irish, or Scotchman thinking to better himself by emigration naturally began to collect information by talking to such of his friends who might have relatives or acquaintances in the colonies, asking how they were getting on, and so forth, and to such persons Tletter or a° newspaper, although it might be a twelvemonths old, would be looked upon as of value for the purpose, having to get information as best the could in default of better sources. If such a thing happened as their getting a newspaper from each of the six different Provinces how much would they be astonished and confused at the ill-natured manner m which the neighbors described each other. Even our mud which was sometimes a little too deep would be described as still deeper and every other disadvantage accidental or natural would be made the most of. This province had suffered too from the sending of letters by some residents here which he could only characterise as disgusting. He quite agreed with Mr. Beaven that a pampnlet truly descriptive of the soil and chniate &c , of the province would contribute to influence intending emi-rants with the best results. They might also send home an agent provided with accurate * copies of the laud regulations, maps, plans of" districts &c , descriptive of the country showing as iar as could be done on paper the nature of the province A previous speaker had mentioned the labors of Dr Lamg in Sydney; inliis (Mr. Wood's) opinion —although he was sorry that some were disposed to differ with him there-he had done more than any other man to promte the best interests of the colony he had adopted as his home. He had been some nine times to the home country and although much abused by some sections of the community in New South Wales which he bore quite easily he (Mr. Wood) considered him to have been a public benefactor. In this he only shared the fate of many other performers of good works and although He firmly believed the day would come that he would die, (a laugh.) he had not finished the sentence, although he was pleaded to afford some amusement— and that m Sydney in some beautiful spot a monument would vet be erected to commemorate his virtues and he had confe.red With- regard to the inducements they could offer beyond those naturally existing, he might state that the result of the land sales which would take place during the next two or three months would be to cause the Government to resume public works, while with increased faculties for transit, the West Coast would be an available outlet for surplus produce. Beyond this so superior was our chmate for the production of . barley, for which the _ neighboring colonies were not so well adapted, that he believed if every available acre in Southland were used for that cereal, a market might be . found for it. He should support the resolution Mr levln-e said while they were on the subject of immigration he might state that in the summer of 1861-2 when he was in Invercargill a gentleman had written to him from the home country asking what facilities the Government were prepared^ offer for the reception of some sixty or seventy families, small farmers, desirous to emigrate ; 'if he remembered rightly, from the counties of Armagh or Tyrone in Ireland. He had spoken then on the subject to Mr. Chalmers or Mr. Pearson, at all events to some mem Ders of the then Government. The reply he received was that emigrants of that class were not wanted all that required was a few farm servants for the squatters up-country. Having afterwards received another letter he (Mr. Irvine) wrote to Mr Dick, now Superintendent, but then, Provincial Secretary of Otago, asking what encouragement Otago was prepared to offer for those immigrants. _ He received a reply, he was sorry he had* mislaid the letter itself, to the eflect that if the male portion of the number desirous to emirate would leave their families and go over to Glasgow, they might perhaps get assisted pa«a-es. This showed the value then attached i to that class of immigaants. The fact was the j same idea prevailed in Otago, that farm servants only were required. By the deceived axioms of political economy labor was represented as the grand element in the progress of a new country ! By a natural law, Squatters, or the owners of cattle and sheep were the first to occupy, then property succeeded by agriculturists, and lasUy a mining "community. The latter interest couldnot be fully developed before others, although, such had been the case in this colony where mining had been, so to speak developed in a hot-bed. The expenses of diggers in this colony were for in excess of what they were in Victoria, and the development of mining was consequently retarded. This would not be the case agricultural settlement were mare advanced. lie w°as surprised ta abserve the absence of same oi the leading men of the place who might have been expected to attend as they, from tne foct of having invested largely in land must naturally be interested m the subject for the discussion of which the meeting had been convened. How were they to obtain a rental for their land, or realise a profit by its sale, if only pastoral interests were to be regarded. The town itself was largely interested in the extension ot agriculture, as upon it depended an increase of trade. They would perhaps exebse his trespass of their time in the remarks he had made ; his obiect had been to show the importance attaching to the subject in the years 1861-2. It will serve to show them the necessity for returning members to their local legislature who were versed in the principles of political economy. The resolution was then put and carried unanimously. Mk. Daibthphe then proposed the following resolution. " That a depatation be appointed to convey tne foregoing resolution to the Government and otheiwise communicate with them on the j questions referred to here." Mr. Wood seconded. He contended that the Government would be shortly in a position to recommence public works as by the new Land Act 25 per cent of the amount of sales would' be available. He believed that a pamphlet of tha kind suggested would be of great service. A subscription might begot up to reward anyone who would write a truthful essay of which as copy might be sent home and printed there for circulation. Mr. Beaten suggested the appointment of a committee to carry out the object of the meeting would be prefhrable to the appointment of a deputation. The Chairman remarked, upon the necessity of guarding against the rrors of the system of immigration which had bn in force in some other colonies. Mr. Lxjmsdek remarked the meeting was more for the purpose of eliciting public opinion on the subject which would probably come before the provincial Council at its next sitting. It was not intended to dictate to the Government, but to scertain if possible what would be the best scheme. It was well known that the system which had prevailed in Victoria and Tasmania of free passages had worked badly, inasmuch as the immigrants after arrival went away to other placee. This objection might be obviated by the adoption of the plan of assisted immigration, A settler here would then pay one half the passage money for a friend or relative in the home country who would betheroupon«ntitled to apassage. .By these means a class of immigrants would be secured who would be attached to their new home by the

be disposed to re-emigrate. He thought the terms of the resolution left it open for the deputation to discuss the best manner of dealing with the subject and was sufficient for the purpose. Some further remarks having been made in explanation by the speakers it was decided by Mr. JBeaven to withdraw his amendment and put it to the meeting as a substantive motion as follows. " That a committee be appointed to take such steps as may be deemed necessary to promote mmigration." Both resolutions were carried unanimously. The following gentlemen were then named to form the deputation — Messrs Dalyryniple.Wooos, Lunisden, and Beaven. For the committee Messrs. Kingsland, "Woods, Perkins, Dalrymple, aud Lumsden, with power to add to their number. After a vote of thanks to the Chairman the meeting broke up. It was throughout of a most attentive and orderly kind.