The Southland Times. MONDAY, JUNE 11, 1866.

Southland Times, Volume VI, Issue 491, 11 June 1866, Page 2

The Southland Times. MONDAY, JUNE 11, 1866.

The time has again come when the question of immigration should command serious, attention. Labor of every description has become scarce ; especially female. ~No doubt we shall be met by croakers with the objection that in the present . state of Southland's finances it is not in a position to spend on Immigration even a few hundred pounds. There is to our mind ample signs of returning prosperity to dissipate the gloom-cloud which has so long hung over the Province, deadening the energy, and crippling the enterprise of its people. The rapidity with which the Waste Lands are selling — we are informed over 95,000 acres was sold last month — is' sufficient to justify the belief that Southland will in less than two years be entirely free of debt and be still in possession of a valuable estate. The fears that were entertained that the heavy debt to the General G-overnment, and the exodus to tli9 "West Coast would crush this Province and induce the inhabitants to seek to be re-united to Otago have passed away ; the debt is being gradually extinguished, and the prosperity of many j at the West Coast has been beneficially felt here ; and to some extent, proved, that as a blow struck on the end of an iron-rod vibrates to its farthest extremity, so anything that brings population, and thereby confers a benefit upon any of the Provinces must exercise a beneficial influence upon the whole colony. Much of the capital made in Westland will be employed in rendering productive many of our thousands of acres which now lie waste. i^Let desponding fears be banished and confidence in the future fostered, and Southland will speedily emerge from its difficulties ; wise by experience, and steady in its action, progressive prosperity ia certain. Some may imagine that we are over sanguine in our predictions, and that the lands are being taken up for pastoral purposes, which will not encourage population or add considerably to the productiveness of the country. This argument will not stand. good. But few will give one pound per acre for land, with the intention of keeping it for any length of time, simply for grazing purposes. With an adequate^ supply of labor, pastoral and agricultural pursuits wilFbe combined with all their tendant benefit The completion of the Northern Bailway will open to Southland a' large market, and increase the facilities for farming, with the sure prospects of success that are not now obtainable. It is to this end that we now call attention to the subject of Imaiigration. To progress, we must have population. Southland is a splendid agricultural country, and offers a verdant field for the enterprise of the industrious and persevering worker. All such as are here now could not better their condition in any of the colonies, and there is " ample room and verge enough" for many more. JSTq doubt that some of the short-sighted laboring classes will, from a mistaken exclusiveness, manifest an opposition to the revival of assisted Immigration. Such an opposition would be, by no means, creditable either to their common sense or humanity. . It is as great an advantage to the working man as to any other class, that the labor market should be regularly and steadily supplied ; with population comes new industries and new wants, and although wages may become a shade lower, it is ful.y compensated for by the decrease in the price of the necessaries of life, which is sure to follow. It cannot be questioned that assisted Immigration is desirable; that the Province wants people, and can supply work for them ; that domestic servants are almost unattainable at any, price , and that very many rising and industrious men would gladly aid in bringing out their relatives and friends, while unable to take the entire responsibility. It is notour present intention to discuss the merits of the various Immigration schemes which have been adopted in the Provinces, or to point out the defects of each, but it must be acknowledged that if Immigration . is to be revived, the question should" be thoroughly discussed, iriasmubli as the system'previously injopeiafcion has not worked with

complete success, nor is it our intention to point out to the Government the exact way to find the funds for the purpose ; but we may suggest that the • Queensland Land Order system should be carefully studied, and something similar adopted. The question is an important one, and should receive serious and immediate attention. The arrangements between this Province and the General Government will most probably be eonj.siderably altered during the coming session of the Assembly, and this subject should then be made prominent.